Captain Sam Cane leading as best he can in Richie McCaw's shadow

Sam Cane and Johnny Sexton will shake hands later today in the Stade de France ahead of the coin toss with referee Wayne Barnes, with one captain very aware it could be his last ever game of professional rugby.

There will be a certain 'Win one for the Gipper' energy to all Ireland games from here on out, with the entire nation knowing that Sexton is one defeat away from a new beginning in the packaging industry.

Such is the excitement gripping the nation during this World Cup, and so far away seems the next Six Nations, that it's unlikely many are giving thought to life post-Sexton.

His influence was already vital-bordering-on-overbearing before he assumed captaincy duties from Rory Best in 2020, but he is now, even at 38, quite clearly Ireland's talisman. The player who makes this team tick and certifiably undroppable.

His opposing captain's career will continue after tonight - win, lose or draw - and with it will continue the questions around his status.

In some eyes Cane is the All Blacks' undroppable captain, who would be dropped if he wasn't the captain.

The hard-working openside starts in the back row alongside the imperious Ardea Savea and physically imposing Shannon Frizell in Paris.

Dalton Papali'i started at 7 against France when Cane pulled up injured during the warm-up ahead of the opening game of the World Cup and there are many who feel the Blues flanker offers more than Cane.

Peter O'Mahony's unflattering comparison of Cane to legendary All Black openside and captain Richie McCaw during the second Test last summer struck a nerve, even if the man himself dismissed it as "good rugby banter".

It has been dredged up again this week by some as evidence of Irish rugby's arrogance and lack of respect for the All Blacks,