Conor Murray says he doesn't have any plans to step away from international rugby just yet, with the scrum-half targeting a contract to remain in with Munster beyond this season.
The scrum-half's current IRFU central contract, which he agreed in December 2021, expires after this summer's Tour to South Africa.
With Jamison Gibson-Park having established himself as the first choice scrum-half for Ireland in recent seasons, Murray may have to move back to a provincial deal with Munster if he wishes to keep playing beyond the summer.
But either way, the 34-year-old says he has no intention of stepping back from Test rugby.
"As long as you are fit and able to contribute at this international level, then you want to be involved with the club and at Test level for as long as you can," he said.
"I feel great at the moment. I went back [with Munster] at the weekend and felt sharp and match fit.
"As long as they have you here I will happily stay."
Murray, who turns 35-years-old in April, says his desire to keep playing is inspired by his long-time half-back partner Johnny Sexton (below), who retired after the Rugby World Cup last year.
"Johnny was incredibly professional. His last game, he was 38 and he played 80 minutes against New Zealand and that shows you what can be done when you do the right things and you still have that drive.
"That sets the bar and the standard there. Thirty eight, it would be nice to reach that level. Who knows, but at the moment I feel good and really enjoying it.
"Recovery is one of the main things that I have upped the last few years. Just making sure your body is right for training. We are in a very high-demand physical environment and especially in games so just making sure you can turn up and perform like you did when you were younger and it was that bit easier.
"You do tend to pick up a few bangs along the way in rugby and we are three or four deep in some positions so it is about giving you the best chance to be competitive."
The 113-cap scrum-half is the second oldest player in Ireland's squad behind Cian Healy, playing in his 13th Guinness Six Nations championship since making his debut before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
With two bonus-point wins, Ireland have made a fast start to this championship and appear to have avoided a dreaded World Cup hangover.
That hasn't always been the case with Irish sides, who have traditionally been sluggish in the Six Nations that followed a World Cup, winning just two games each in 2012 and 2016, while finishing third in Andy Farrell's first year in charge back in 2020.
And Murray says their reaction to the World Cup disappointment bodes well for the future.
"It's been really impressive as a staff, coaches, players. We can be proud of that. The disappointment of the World Cup was huge, it was a huge blow given the opportunity we had over there, and teams do struggle after World Cups. It’s a bit of a trend and we can be proud that we have shaken it off and continue to grow as a group," Murray added.
"What do we put it down to? Just the environment and the culture of the group. I would like to be a few years younger and starting off on the journey with Ireland because you can see where this team can go and the potential it has.
"We’re ever growing, ever evolving. The potential of this time is really high and getting back into camp we talk about how enjoyable and challenging it is. We reviewed the World Cup, learned from our mistakes and the appetite is there to grow the game, grow our game and keep inspiring people through our performances.
"Now, it did knock us a bit but we can be proud of how we did handle it."
He's been particularly impressed with the impact of his Munster teammate Jack Crowley in the first two games of this campaign.
With Sexton retired, Crowley has taken over the out-half spot for Farrell's side, with Murray full of praise for hos he's handled that scrutiny.
"Anyone who gets the chance in that jersey since Johnny retired, and with the players who have worn it before, it comes with a lot of pressure. I've been impressed with how Jack doesn't seem to be fazed.
"There is pressure from the outside, he is putting pressure on himself, but it doesn't really show. You can talk about his attributes as a player but he is unfazed really. After the French game we talked about how everyone had good and bad moments and Jack talked about he bounced back from a few. That ability to move on to the next moment – it’s a cliché thing you hear from sportspeople but if he does make a mistake he will follow it up with something really positive in the game.
"As a ten who is leading us around the field it is really important that he is not hanging on to anything so that mentality side of it has been really impressive for me."
"It’s really enjoyable to play with Jack. He’s really quite calm. Even when you’re in the middle of Test match with him, the tone of voice and the chat is really relaxed.
"Again, that’s probably why he is able to move on. He is very calm and he has a very good understanding of what he is trying to do. He is still a young ten. If you think of Johnny at that age I am sure he was doing good things but making mistakes as well and that’s just part of the journey for Jack."
The Limerick man is hoping to come back into the squad for Saturday's visit of Wales, having been replaced by his provincial teammate Craig Casey for the recent win over Italy.
Having missed out on selection for Round 2, Murray was back in action for Munster at the weekend, playing 58 minutes of their 42-7 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli.
"I was hungry to get back and get a bit of game time. It was tough travel for us with Munster. We were on buses down to Cork, flights to Bristol and then buses again but it was nice to get out and get a bit of game time and get some match fitness into me."
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