Declan Kidney has said he refuses to restrict his players for Ireland's potential RBS 6 Nations title showdown with France on Saturday.
Kidney and his coaching lieutenants have devised a gameplan they hope will enable the Grand Slam champions to claim their first victory in Paris since 2000.
But Ireland's head coach insists it is crucial his team are permitted to play heads-up rugby against an opposition that can be dangerously unpredictable.
"We have a broad plan but the boys will also have to think on their feet. You can try and second guess France but that's dangerous," he said.
"France's set-piece is strong, so is their continuity and off-load game. They bring the unexpected.
"That gets them playing free-flowing rugby and, when they play like that, they'll make hay against anybody.
"They played like that against New Zealand last summer and South Africa in the autumn and came out on top both times.
"We'll just have to attack what we see in front of us. That's the way Irish teams need to play.
"We need to be smart - if we play the same way every time, teams will cut us down.
"We have a style that we play but it allows players to exploit gaps.
"You can't defend the whole pitch so we'll have to pick out where France are vulnerable."
Ireland will be dismayed by the timing of old foe Vincent Clerc's return to the Test arena.
Clerc replaces the injured Benjamin Fall on the right wing as one of two enforced changes to the side that eased past Scotland 18-9.
The Toulouse winger has scored seven tries in five appearances against Ireland, including a hat-trick at the Stade de France two years ago.
His most painful intervention, however, came at Croke Park in 2007 when he crossed with a minute to go for a try that effectively denied Ireland the Grand Slam.
"France have such an array of players. I've seen some of the stuff that has been written about Lievremont but, when you have that many players, you can come up with any XV," Kidney said.
"They have so much strength in depth and that's why they have the record they do."
© Press Association