Coach Michael Cheika will continue with his plan to make subtle changes to the Wallabies line-up to play against Ireland despite suffering a 29-26 loss in Paris.

The ever-reliable and explosive Folau has played 26 games this year in five different countries - 14 in NSW's Super Rugby triumph and 12 Tests for Australia, playing all but a handful of minutes.

Kurtley Beale could be a shock replacement at fullback if Folau gets a rest, with Cheika calling Beale into the squad to be the back-up No. 15.

Folau has scored 17 tries in 27 Tests to set extremely high expectations every time he runs on to the field.

But international teams are now aware of his dangerous ability and are attempting to limit his influence.

Cheika will speak with Folau this week to see if the fullback is carrying a niggling injury and needs a break, but his performance against France was by no means poor.

"I need to talk to [Folau], … he made a couple of uncharacteristic [errors] under the high ball and he took a knock early," Cheika said.

"He did some good things too - he carried the ball well and I'm sure he'll bounce back.

"We've got to be a bit clever in our positioning at the back to make sure that doesn't happen [where teams keep Folau out of the game].

"He's very good at [taking high balls], I can't complain too much because he catches more than he misses."

Beale joined the Wallabies in Dublin on Monday morning Australian time to end his exile from the Test set up.

He will automatically assume the role of back-up fullback, giving Cheika the option of lightening Folau's training load during the week.

Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight and Luke Jones also loom as potential new faces in the Wallabies side to play Ireland this weekend as Cheika attempts to create greater depth in the team.

The coach is also wary of making wholesale changes which could disrupt the team.

"[Speight] is a player we need to have a look at, but [Joseph Tomane] is doing really well," Cheika said.

"I don't know if I'll go for someone who suits Ireland per se … but there are guys like Matt Toomua, Henry and even Luke Jones that maybe need an opportunity.

"If we're going to do it, this is the time. But, we have to focus on the result. It's a fine line - you back your players. You don't want to give games away, it's just about having a look at players in a different system."

The Wallabies are still adjusting to Cheika's style of play, especially in defence.

Cheika coached in Ireland for five years at Leinster, tasting European Cup success in 2009.

He expects the Irish team to pick a weakness in the Wallabies game and try to exploit it but prop James Slipper believes Australia is up the challenge.

"[Ireland] is a really crafty team, they did a number on South Africa in the line-out [two weeks ago] and that was a big part of the reason why they won that game," Slipper said.

"You can pinpoint one area of the game, but that's pretty dangerous. I'm sure they will have a look at the set piece. It's a source of retaining ball, we focus on it and they'll do the same.

"We are training extremely hard, Cheik[a]'s only had the job a few weeks and you're only going to get into his style through hard work. We knew it was going to be tough and this week will be tougher."