“I’ll work towards getting into the real world and start another life” – Johnny Sexton

Sexton says his contract talks with Leinster are ongoing and the biggest stumbling block appears to be how long of an offer he will get. You get the impression if he gets a decent offer until June 2023, he'll stick about.

The IRFU look set to offer Keith Earls a one-year deal and may have been doing likewise to Sexton. Given that there is €500,000 riding on every place higher you finish in the Six Nations, Sexton could help his own cause by guiding Ireland to as high a finish as possible.

"I’ve got some things that I’ll work towards," he adds, "whether it’s a year or two years I don’t know. 

"I’ll work towards getting into the real world and start another life. There are parts of this game that are amazing, that you love and you’d love to be a part of it forever and then there are some parts you can wait to get a million miles away from it. So I love it at the moment. I’m loving every moment of playing. I’m just going to focus on this campaign and if I’m around next year just focus on that and try and make the most of whatever is left."

"I’ve always been of the same position," he says, "where I absolutely love what I do. I’m very privileged to do it and I’m still loving it and I’ll keep playing for now. That has never changed.

"I’ve spoken about admiration for athletes that have stayed at the top of their game for a long time but never, I don’t sort.. be careful what I said of what someone else said, it can get lost a bit but for the moment I’m still hoping that my team-mates and coaches see how motivated I aim to train well every day and then to keep going and whenever that is, I can’t say I’m not playing on [because] no one knows. 24 or 25 years of age, you get an injury and you’re finished.

"At the moment I am contracted for this season and nearly contracted for next season. Hopefully I’ll stay and we’ll see what happens."