Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has revealed he consulted with Brian O’Driscoll in weighing up a retirement date and is 90% sure of when to call time on his career.
O’Connell has long stated that the end of the Rugby World Cup or the summer of 2016 would see the end of his playing days, while speculation that a move to Toulon could be on the cards has added to the uncertainty over his future.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport at an Adidas launch event this morning, the Munster man said: “I have chatted to [Brian] a few times. I think one of the things he said is he definitely didn't regret going on another year.
"He had planned to retire and he stayed on and it was probably one of the most enjoyable years of his career. He went on and won a Six Nations Championship. So that was his advice.
“Everyone is different. Everyone is at different stages in their lives and everyone has different reasons to make different decisions. I chatted to a few people but ultimately it will be down to me and my family.
“Nothing is happening. For me it's the exact same as the last time you asked me the question. I'm trying to make a decision on when I'll retire and what I'll do. I'm 35 now so I'm coming towards the end of my playing days. I'm contracted here in Ireland until next summer.
“The World Cup is coming up so I was always of the opinion that I would either finish after the World Cup or in the summer so I'm still in the midst of that decision.”
“I'm probably about 90% sure what I'm going to do. But the other 10% is probably holding me back for saying for sure what I am going to do yet in the media” - Paul O'Connell
O’Connell has repeatedly denied that a switch to Toulon or Pau will materialise, despite reports last week that a two-year-contract was offered to the 35-year-old by the European champions.
He reiterated that he had no contact with the clubs and maintains his focus is on Munster and a possible Pro12 final, saying: “There are two people in France I chat to every week. They are probably Ronan O'Gara in Racing Metro and Mike Prendergast in Grenoble. They are two friends of mine. Apart from that, there hasn't been anything.
"There has been some stuff in the papers, but I suppose because I am coming towards the end of my career and I'm probably finishing with Ireland soon, that is where the speculation is coming from.
“But for me nothing has changed from when I spoke to you guys at the end of the Six Nations. I'm still in the midst of the decision, I probably have to get cracking and make my mind up on what I'm going to do. Probably the summer is the time for that now.
“We are heading into a big important part of the season with Munster where we have a big away game with Ulster in a week and a half's time and then we have Dragons and a semi-final. If we do things right, we might have a final as well.”
The doubt in O’Connell’s mind has stemmed from whether he could continue playing after a relatively injury-free season so far and some outstanding performances for Munster and Ireland.
"I haven't had a bad season. I have been fairly injury-free. Sometimes that would make you think that it would be great to play on for another little bit" - Paul O'Connell
The temptation to continue after the World Cup remains and has so far stopped him making any announcement.
“I have been playing so long now that if I retire after the World Cup I don't think people would be saying he went too soon.
"People are interested to see what I'm doing. I haven't had a bad season. I have been fairly injury-free. Sometimes that would make you think that it would be great to play on for another little bit. It's not an easy decision.
“Some people know when they are going to retire, they come out and say they are 100% sure. I'm probably about 90% sure what I'm going to do.
"But the other 10% is probably holding me back for saying for sure what I am going to do yet in the media. I just want to be 100% sure before I say anything.”
