Johnny Sexton has hinted that he may postpone his plans to retire after next year's World Cup, adding that he continues to be driven on by his British and Irish Lions snub in 2021.
The Ireland captain has shown no signs of slowing down this season, with the 37-year-old nominated for World Rugby Men's Player of the Year this week, joining Brian O'Driscoll as the only Irishman to be included on the shortlist three times.
Earlier this year, the Leinster out-half confirmed he would retire from rugby after next year's World Cup, by which point he'll be 38.
However, when the possibility of prolonging his career was broached yesterday, Sexton says he had been "caught by surprise" with a retirement question when he signed his latest contract in March.
"Well, you guys caught me by surprise when I announced the extension, I thought it was a good news story, and then 'does this mean you're retiring after?’, like you can’t get rid of me quick enough," he laughed, when asked about potentially rowing back on his plans.
"So, it caught me by surprise. I genuinely didn’t expect that question in the first place, and I hadn’t prepared for it, and I kind of thought 'is it not kind of obvious?'
"But we’ll see, we’ll see."
For now, it seems, he's keeping his future plans vague.
"I just need to concentrate on what's ahead of me, and that’s all I am doing, concentrating on this season and trying to make the most of every opportunity I get, and please God get to the World Cup and then see what happens."
Despite the continued questions over his retirement date, there's no doubt he remains at the top of his game, with three wins against New Zealand, and victories against England and South Africa proof of how important he remains to Andy Farrell's side.
And he was frank when asked about his motivation.
"The Lions selection [in 2021] still drives me to this day. Any time I feel I'm getting a bit of ahead of myself I just think back to not being picked for that.
"It’s opinion, isn’t it? The World Player of the Year is a few people’s opinion. They think you’ve done well. When it came down to the Lions selection, a few important people thought that I wasn’t the right fit for that team and it hurt like hell.
"It just shows the fickleness of selection and everything, and you don't want to go out from international rugby like that. It’s a big motivating factor.
"I’d rather have got picked, and I still think I’d be hungry, but maybe sometimes you need a bit of a stir-up like that.
"To miss the chance to go on a Lions tour. I’ve still never been to South Africa in however many years playing rugby. I’ve never been to South Africa and I always thought, 'I’ve never been, but it’s going to be that tour'.
"Look, like I said, its opinion. The coaches thought that I wasn’t the right person for the job, and that’s life. You’ve got to get over it. But you’ve got to use it."
In recent months, Sexton had the opportunity to sit down with four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, when the Golden State Warriors star trained at the Sport Ireland campus in Abbotstown.
And he says he's learned "a huge amount" by studying and meeting some of the world's top-tier athletes during his career.
"The opportunity to meet someone like that was insane, I couldn't get over how humble he was, how down to earth he [Curry] was.
"I was hoping to ask him a few questions about his routine and how he preps, but I couldn't get any questions in because he was asking me about rugby and how to pass the ball.
"In basketball, he shoots with the same hand all the time and he couldn't get over how we've to do it with our bad hand and kick with both feet.
"It was amazing that, with the stature he has in the game that he plays to be such a good fellah was great to see."
"I watch a lot of documentaries on whatever station. It's a big part of, not staying ahead, but there's so much transfer from sport to sport and if you learn so many small things from those documentaries.
"Stuart Lancaster would be a big one for showing us things in meetings, the more you can watch the better - you'll get something out of it."
Having overcome a dead leg, Sexton is expected to return at out-half for Saturday's final Test of 2022 against Australia at the Aviva Stadium, with head coach Andy Farrell naming his team this afternoon.
With Joey Carbery ruled out due to a head injury, and Ross Byrne having only linked up with the squad this week, it's likely Munster's Jack Crowley will provide support off the replacements bench, the 22-year-old making his debut in last week's win against Fiji.
And Sexton says he's been impressed with the confidence shown by the Cork rookie in this month's camp
"He's got a bit of edge about him. He’s young, but he puts himself about and he’s not shy from leading the team and that’s what you want to see in a 10.
"Look, I've seen lots of out-halves come through and like I said earlier, they’ve all got talent. You can’t get to this level unless you’ve got some level of talent but it’s when you get there, it’s what you do with your career and how motivated you can stay and get over the bumps along the road – injuries, selection, form.
"You’ve got to go through a good bit – well, you don’t have to but most 10s do – and come out of it the other side. So there will be challenges ahead but he’s definitely got all the attributes to be top class."
Ireland are unusually heavy favourites against the Wallabies this Saturday, with Dave Rennie's side coming to Dublin off the back of a poor season, which has seen them win just four out of 12 games.
And after last week's shock defeat to Italy, Sexton is preparing for the Australians to arrive at teh Aviva Stadium with a point to prove.
"They are an outstanding team with very, very good individuals littered throughout it, and they have very good coaches.
"They are Australian, they love being the underdog, they love coming to play against teams that are ranked ahead of them, they see it as a scalp and that's when they come into their own. They have done that forever, well as long I can remember. They have big performances in them and they will be no different this week."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Australia on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 8pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
