Johnny Sexton says today's contract extension will be his last as a professional rugby player, confirming his intention to retire after the 2023 World Cup.
The Ireland captain has signed an extension to his existing IRFU central contract, which will see him remain with Leinster until the end of the tournament in France next year.
Sexton will be 38 by the end of the World Cup cycle in 18 months' time, after which he says he will officially retire from playing.
"I'm delighted to be able to say it," the out-half said, ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with England (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
"I've been beating around the bush for six months, always nervous talking about the World Cup when you weren't guaranteed to be there, but I just want to make the most of this last 18 months of my career, and go out on the top.
"It’s up to me now to work hard and get the body and mind in the best shape possible, and attack the last 18 months."
Sexton has been fielding questions around his potential retirement since the end of the 2019 tournament, although having been made captain by Andy Farrell in 2020 it always seemed likely he would extend his career until the end of this four-year cycle.
The Leinster veteran has played 103 times for Ireland since his debut against Fiji in 2009, winning three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018.
But he has suffered three World Cup disappointments with Ireland, losing quarter-finals in 2011 and 2019, while injury saw miss miss the last-eight defeat to Argentina in 2015.
"I am just very hungry to stay in the international setup. I don't want to go out with a whimper, I want to go out at the top. So, whatever it is, 18 more months to make the most of a career. Yeah, hopefully we can finish on a high."
He says he's determined to go out on a high in 18 months.
The former Racing 92 player said: "It was always my intention to try and stay at the top of my game to get myself to a World Cup and I'm very thankful and grateful that I’ve been afforded that opportunity to do it. Now it’s up to me to keep the body in good shape.
"I’m still very driven to get there and perform at the World Cup. That was one of the biggest factors for me. I spoke to a lot of guys who have finished in the game with big regrets over World Cup and I have a chance now to do that.
"It’s obviously a long time away and at this moment we’ve got a lot in front of us to focus on but it’s great to get it sorted.
Johnny Sexton has signed one final contract extension with the IRFU, with the Ireland captain set to retire after the 2023 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/Zx7kqfCRdg
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 8, 2022
"I've said it previously, I’ve played with a lot of guys that went out at the top of their game. People that have won a World Cup, like Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn. I played with Brad and took a lot from him.
"Closer to home then, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. All these guys played to a similar age so you take bits from all of them; Peter Stringer, Donncha O’Callaghan. It’s a long list so it’s not like I’m the first person ever to do it.
"I am just very hungry to stay in the international set-up. I don’t want to go out with a whimper, I want to go out at the top. So, whatever it is, 18 more months to make the most of a career. Yeah, hopefully we can finish on a high."
The 36-year-old says negotiations went smoothly, with initial talks a few months ago, before the full details were sorted out "in a couple of conversations" last week.
And he admits he doesn't yet know what life outside of rugby will hold for him.
"I'd say when I do retire, I’ll miss everything about the game," he added.
"It’s an absolute dream to do what I’ve done and to do it for so long is incredible.
"I pinch myself every day. I’m just very grateful to keep it going.
"When I hang up the boots I’ll be like a lost puppy for the first while, but I’ll find something else to throw myself into, golf maybe?"
Sexton's final chapter begins this Saturday against England at Twickenham as Ireland look to take another step towards a Triple Crown, while keep pressure on Six Nations leaders France.
Ireland are slight favourites to end their run of three consecutive defeats at Twickenhem, but the captain says away wins against England are always hard to come by.
"We haven't had that many successes at Twickenham over the last 10 years," he said.
"I think I've had a couple of wins in that period. It's such a tough place to go.
"When you think about us and you think about how hard we are to beat in the Aviva, it's the same for every team.
"It's such a hard thing to do in international rugby, to go into a hostile environment like this in front of a majority English crowd and perform, and that's what we've got to do.
"That's our focus. We've got to learn lessons from the French game and try and put them into practice and play much better. Obviously England will be looking to get their very best performance out there as well, so it's going to be a big Test match."
Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch live coverage of England v Ireland on Saturday 12 March (4.45pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
