But the Leinster centre insists he won’t be hanging up the boots any time soon as Ireland looks to follow on from their 20-16 defeat of England last time out at Twickenham.

He said: “I’m not going to stop just yet. I intend to keep playing as long as the body and mind — and the coach — still say I can go on,” he said.

“The next game in a green jersey could be my last. I don’t think you can go too far wrong if you have that attitude.

“I love going training every day and I love playing, though obviously there are parts of the job that I wouldn’t love. But getting on the pitch and getting to exercise every day for a living is pretty good.

“There are always aspects of your game that you can improve.”