Ronan O’Gara could still have a future with Ireland if his latest comments on retirement are anything to go by.
The triple Lions tourist looked set to hang up his international boots after the World Cup but he now appears to have reconsidered his immediate future.
"Irish rugby has been so good to me, you don't walk away from that," said O’Gara.
"The other side of it is I'm 34 and new talent is coming through, so we'll see what happens, but you don't ever turn your back on a great country."
Those comments are in stark contrast to O’Gara’s remarks after Ireland’s famous World Cup win over Australia last month when he came off the bench to kick two late penalties in Auckland.
The Munster playmaker stated after that match that the end of the World Cup would also signal the end of his stellar Ireland career.
"I'm done with Ireland in a few weeks,"was O’Gara’s reaction after the 15-6 victory over the Wallabies.
"I've had a great time in this jersey but I want this to be the biggest time. It's a great team, a great bunch of lads and it means a lot."
O’Gara, who toured with the Lions in 2001, 2005 and 2009, has won a total of 116 caps for his country, as well as two for Britain and Ireland’s elite in New Zealand and South Africa.
He has shared the Irish outside-half duties with Jonathan Sexton over the past two seasons but, with no obvious contender to seriously challenge Leinster’s new star, head coach Declan Kidney will hope O’Gara will continue for a little longer.
As for Ireland’s exit from the World Cup following defeat to Wales at the weekend, O’Gara insists the setback has been hard to take, even if there are plenty of positives to be found in Ireland’s campaign.
"It's disappointing, but that's the way it goes at this level," added O’Gara.
"France have lost twice, Wales have lost once and Australia have lost once, yet they're still in the competition. We've lost once and we're home.
"We had a great bunch of lads, great camaraderie and a lot of highlights to take away from the competition."
