Joey Carbery says it was an "extremely tough" decision to leave Munster, but admits his future move to France is an opportunity he couldn't let pass.
The out-half will end his six years at the province this summer, with Bordeaux-Begles believed to be his destination.
Carbery, who has won 37 caps for Ireland, has seen his time at Munster blighted by injury, which has limited him to just 61 appearances in five-and-a-half seasons.
The 28-year-old had long been seen as a potential successor to Johnny Sexton with Ireland, but after seeing himself drop out of head coach Andy Farrell's plans last year, before Jack Crowley overtook him as Munster's first choice 10, he admits he needed a fresh start in his career.
"I didn't necessarily want to leave the Irish system," Carbery says.
"But I suppose off the back of the last two Six Nations and the World Cup, not being involved, it was not nice to be sitting on the sides. I think the opportunity came around and it was a fresh start.
"Extremely tough decision. I suppose it was a great opportunity that I couldn't really pass by, and the way things have gone over the last years for me, a few people I've chatted to said a fresh start can do the world of good for some people. I’ve taken it for that reason."
Having joined the province in a high-profile switch from Leinster in 2018, Carbery's time at Munster has been chequered, in large part due to injury.
The most significant layoff came in 2020 when a wrist injury doubled up with surgery on a long-term ankle issue, which ultimately kept him sidelined for more than a year.
The New Zealand-born out-half (above) continued to be a regular for Ireland upon his return, and earned 15 more caps from the summer of 2021, up until the Autumn Nations Series of 2022.
However, a drop in form saw him miss out on a place in the 2023 Six Nations, while he was a spectator for Munster's URC title run, with Crowley and Ben Healy chosen ahead of him for the business end of the season.
"There was a time last year when I was really, really not enjoying rugby and so I think this [move] is exactly what I need. It's a tough place to leave but then it’s also such an exciting opportunity.
"Talking to friends, family, stuff like that, and then just in 10 or 15 years' time I didn't want to be looking back and regret something like that.
"I think it's a good move for me, just how everything has gone, I think a fresh start will do me the world of good. I’m still only 28 so who knows what happens in the future," he added.
Injury problems have also haunted him during this season, with a wrist issue sidelining him from early November until mid-January, when he returned off the bench for Munster's vital win away to Toulon in the Champions Cup.
The Six Nations break has allowed him get back up to speed, and three winning starts against the Crusaders, Scarlets and Ospreys have restored confidence, ahead of what he hopes will be a big end to his time at the province.
"It’s really exciting, but there’s still a huge amount to be played for before the end of the season.
"I always had the intention to go abroad and try something different at some stage of my career, I didn't think it would happen necessarily, but I’m, really excited for what’s to come, but then again looking forward to finishing the season strongly here.
"I feel just getting some gametime and starting games and finishing games over the last month or two has gone really well for me, so hopefully continue that through, keep getting some gametime and I suppose we’re probably in a better spot than we were this time last year.
"We’ll see where it goes and we’ll just keep building towards the end," he said.
Watch Munster v Cardiff in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
