Brute force and not much else.
France coach Philippe Saint-André has matched Joe Schmidt’s conservative selection with one of his own.
PSA has selected a gigantic back row unit that comprises captain Thierry Dusatoir, Damien Chouly and Louis Picamoles, who will earn his 50th cap on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Sebastian Tillous Borde and Frederic Michalak are in the half-back pairing. Brice Dulin and Noa Nakaitaci are on the wings with Scott Spedding patrolling the back-field.
Wesley Fofana and Matieu Bastareaud continue their midfield partnership while Pascal Papé and the man-mountain Yoann Maestri are in the second row.
It would be remiss of us not to mention the French front row, especially as they will have a crucial bearing on events.
Rabah Slimani and Eddy Ben Arous – the man who said he would ‘hunt down’ Johnny Sexton – pack dowm on either side of Guilhem Guirado.
#XVdeFrance Découvrez l’équipe qui débutera dimanche face à l’Irlande à 17h45 sur @TF1! #RWC2015 #FRAIRL pic.twitter.com/ov4J1e2xmX
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 9, 2015
