The 33-year-old Munster star, recently named as ERC’s best player of the last 15 years, has earmarked the year after the 2011 World Cup as the one where he will step back from the field.

And after seeing out his entire club career with Munster, O’Gara’s loyalty to the Irish province means he can’t see himself playing for any other side but could see himself in a backroom role at a Top 14 club.

“Maybe as a kicking specialist or a three-quarter coach, I still don't know,” said the Heineken Cup’s record points scorer.

“France has always attracted me - I studied the language over two years in university.

“I think the year after the World Cup will be my last before I hang up my boots. I have had everything in Munster, a team which played at the top level in Europe and my family at the stadium every weekend.

“I also wanted to show my loyalty by staying with Munster and think I have made the right choice.”