All out attack will not be on the agenda when France face Ireland, according to full-back Clement Poitrenaud.
Visitors expecting a tough contest at Lansdowne Road
France full-back Clement Poitrenaud knows it will be important to mix up his game when Les Bleus take on Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
Poitrenaud has a reputation as a risk-taker, prepared to run the ball from almost anywhere on the field, but he insists he and his side are prepared to adopt a more cautious approach at the Aviva Stadium.
"People should not count on me to run every ball that comes to me," he said.
"I have developed other facets to returning the ball other than running with it, which was perhaps my one quality when I began rugby. If I need to use my kicking game, I will employ it.
"The Irish know us, as they play against us regularly in the Heineken Cup.
"They know very well that we are above all fond of running the ball out of defence and they will be on their guard.
"It is imperative that we don't focus solely on running it and to realise that we will have to kick the ball as well."
Superb
France produced a superb display of attacking rugby against the Irish in Paris last season, winning 33-10 on their way to a Grand Slam.
And with Ireland having struggled in Rome last week, the visitors will start favourites, but Poitrenaud insists he and his teammates are expecting a tough contest.
He said: "I don't think we should pay too much attention to that match.
"They really didn't play at their usual level, and they were missing several key players.
"We cannot fall into the trap of thinking that they are weaker, out of form or disorganised because we will face another Irish side on Sunday.
"We should pay more attention to their performances back in November, notably against the All Blacks where even if they did lose, they put up a good show."
Toulouse's Poitrenaud has been recalled to the starting line-up as an injury to Maxime Mermoz has seen Damien Traille moved into midfield.
