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PARIS: His great grandfather fought on the Western Front in World War I and captured 14 enemy soldiers but former Wallabies captain James Horwill faces a different task when he plays against France on Saturday night.
Horwill is the only change to the Wallabies starting line-up for the second Test of the European spring tour, replacing Sam Carter in the second row.
Coach Michael Cheika is keeping his cards close to his chest, delaying naming his reserves until after the final training session as players compete for selection.
But Cheika has indicated Horwill has embraced the physical style he wants from the new Wallabies regiment and it's fitting the Queensland Reds leader gets his chance at Stade de France.
Horwill has started in just two of the past nine Tests, despite his impressive record of starting in 50 of his 57 Wallabies caps.
Horwill's great grandfather Sergeant Edward Henry Horwill was injured after capturing 14 enemy soldiers and taking a machine gun nest in an attack on Glencorse Wood in 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917 – an extremely high medal for bravery, second level military decoration awarded by the British Army.
Almost 100 years later, Horwill beamed with pride as he and his Wallabies teammates were invited to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to lay a wreath as part of Remembrance Day ceremonies before a function at the Australian ambassador's place overlooking the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday night.
"That medal still sits in pride of place at our home in Brisbane, I'm very proud of that history and to come here to a place like this to see the importance … it's a nice touch," Horwill said at the base of the Arc de Triomphe.
"What he did was probably more impressive than I understood at the time. When you read what he did … he was certainly a very talented soldier.
"This whole week is a special touch … and brings a bit more meaning to our time in Paris."
Horwill's grandfather, Edward Frederick Horwill, fought in World War II.
"He passed when I was 13 or 14 … he was in the tank division and I knew he was extremely proud," Horwill said.
"Family is something that's very important to me and to have tradition in the military is something that resonates with me.
"It's the sacrifices that not only they made, but the rest of the service men and women made then and today."
Horwill has been impressive in the Wallabies' first two games of the tour against the Barbarians and Wales, more than a year after then coach Ewen McKenzie relieved him of the captaincy.
The 29-year-old will add grunt to the Wallabies pack and he has also been linked with a move to English club Harlequins after the World Cup next year.
Rookie Sean McMahon keeps his place at blindside flanker while it is hoped Scott Higginbotham will be back from a hamstring injury next week.
Cheika has challenged his players to raise the bar and is backing his players to improve this week after holding on to beat Wales in a five-point thriller. Prop Sekope Kepu will also play his 50th Test.
"Sekope has been a great player for Australian Rugby over a long period of time and I speak for everyone when I congratulate him on this very special milestone," Cheika said.
"He has proudly represented the Wallabies for seven years and the experience he now brings to this team is invaluable.
"He still has plenty of improvement in his game and I'm confident his best years of rugby are ahead of him."
WALLABIES TEAM
Australia: 1. James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. James Horwill, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Sean McMahon, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Joseph Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Israel Folau. Reserves: To be confirmed.
