Keith Earls insists there will be "nothing new" in facing a physical onslaught from England in Dublin on Saturday.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has warned Ireland to beware England's "brutality" when launching their Guinness Six Nations title defence at the Aviva Stadium.
England could boast an array of ball-carrying threats in Mako and Billy Vunipola up front, and Ben Te'o and Manu Tuilagi in midfield.
But the unfazed Munster wing Earls believes every Test match is just as physical as the next, suggesting Ireland will continue to try to "outsmart" opponents.
"Every game we play in is brutal and physical because it's 15 men trying to kill another 15 men within the rules of the game, you know?" said Earls.
"I wouldn't get too bogged down in it. I'd obviously expect a game like that to be brutal, brutally physical.
"As I said, they are expected to be brutally physical against Scotland, Italians and the Welsh as well.
"So, it's nothing new, it's just the two coaches; on the field, we always know it's going to be brutal.
"Of course, they're a top quality side.
"I think with the Vunipola brothers coming back, they are going to have threats all over the field.
"We're going to have to start strong, not like we did in the last couple of years where we kind of had a slow start or a Johnny Sexton kick getting us out of trouble.
"Mako, a loosehead, I don't know how he's able to ball play; he brings that extra dimension for them," said Earls.
"And Billy does what he does best: he runs over fellas.
"He's quite physical but I think as a whole, I know they're talking about physicality but it's not new when you face England or it's not new for the Six Nations.
"It's going to be physical no matter who you are playing. That's what we're expecting on Saturday."
