Joey Carbery says his decision to move to Munster was arrived at after a few sleepless nights and was motivated by the desire to play more regularly at out-half.
Carbery's switch to Munster was confirmed this afternoon after weeks of speculation about his future.
The IRFU and the national team management were known to be keen for Carbery to move elsewhere in order that he get more games at fly-half ahead of the 2019 World Cup, where he is the presumed second choice in the position.
The Athy fly-half told RTÉ Sport's Michael Corcoran that he experienced a hectic couple of weeks as he tossed over in his head the possibility of a move.
"It's been a tough couple of weeks. There's been a lot of things going, with the magnitude of the games and this decision in my head as well," he said.
"I've come to the decision purely based on rugby. I want to go down there and get the opportunity to be playing at 10 a lot more.
"I know that if I can get into the rhythm of games, I know how good I can be so I'm really excited for the opportunity. I'm going down to a great team with a great set of coaches.
"It's been tough. Leaving my friends and family and the things I'm comfortable in. But I've made this decision purely based on rugby and I'm a professional rugby player. So I've got to do what's best for my rugby and I know things can be great down there. I'm really excited about the group I'm going into.
"It's good to have people around me that I could talk to and give me help on things. Like you said, it's been tough with the games and there's been a few sleepless nights thinking about everything. But I'm glad it's come to an end and I'm really happy with my decision. It feels good."
Carbery was anxious to thank Leinster for their role in developing him as a rugby player and he said he was excited about joining a squad who he insists were not far off either European or domestic glory this season.
"Leinster have done so much for me and helped me develop. I couldn't have enough praise for them and that's what makes it even tougher to leave because they're my best friends and they're such a great outfit as well.
"They've such a strong team down there and I know how close they were this year, two semi-finals. Leinster were the exact same last year. It just shows that with a good attitude and a good drive, which I know is down there, that anything can happen so it's going to be an exciting few years.
"I'm getting onto the plane (to Australia) with a clear head that I can look forward to the next three weeks and concentrate fully on that.
"So, it is a relief. It feels like I've made the right decision."
