Former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Conor Murray has retired from rugby.
The 36-year-old finished with Munster at the end of last season and had originally intended to continue his career abroad.
However, the Limerick man told The 42 that he had now decided to call time on his playing days.
"I had left it open-ended," Murray said.
"My body felt really good and in a good place.
"But it was more for a life experience for my wife Joanna and our little boy Alfie, who's 10 months now, and just if we wanted to go somewhere nice and experience a nice place to live, for them as much as me wanting to play on.
"There were a couple of offers but nothing that really suited us at this time of our lives.
"There was one in Japan but dragging them there, putting them in an apartment in Tokyo or something like that just didn’t appeal to where we’re at at the minute.
"So long story short, nothing of appeal came up and I’m very happy to hang up the boots properly and move into the next chapter."
Murray won 133 international caps including eight for the British and Irish Lions.
He won the Six Nations five times.
He made his Munster debut in 2010 and won the URC with his home province in 2011 and 2023.
He added: "The buzz you get on a Saturday running out in whatever stadium it is, that won’t be replaced, that’ll be something I’ll have to process and get used to.
"On the other hand, I got to do it for as long as I absolutely could.
"I got to 36 and I had plenty of days out in green and red and I consider myself very lucky.
"I’ve seen a lot of lads have to retire through injury or not get their contract renewed or whatever it is.
"Fortunately for me, I got to go the distance and step away on my terms."
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