But the playmaker insists they won’t be his last, and is still motivated by the challenge of maintaining his form both domestically and internationally.

He told Irish broadcaster RTE: "It’s a significant milestone but I have my foot on the accelerator and I’m not looking back.

“I’m looking forward and that’s the way you have to be in this game — it’s a ruthless game. I want to make the most of whatever years are left and I’m enjoying it immensely at the minute. You play to enjoy it and you play to win, and I tick the box on both counts.

"When I finish playing in a few years’ time I will look upon it as a significant cap because it’s a fantastic competition. It’s a competition that has given me every possible emotion and that’s why you play the game.

“There’s been so many wonderful moments. I’ve been so lucky that it’s given me so many great memories, that to name a handful would be doing a disservice to the probably other 25 I have.”