Johnny Sexton expects to start contract talks with the IRFU after the Six Nations as he looks to build on his 101 caps for his country.
36-year-old Sexton became the seventh Irishman to hit a century but has no intention of slowing down any time soon.
The Dubliner says he feels ‘great’ as he prepares to wear the captain’s armband for the third championship in a row.
And he is relaxed about negotiations on a new deal, having signed a one-year extension during last year’s competition.
"We will probably sit down at the end of the Six Nations, I would say that was always the plan. That was always what Leinster would have expected,” said Sexton.
"At this age, you've got to wait for as long as possible because I feel great now - I've felt great the last couple of weeks training and at the start of the season - but you know that can change.
"My intention is to keep going as long as I'm fit to do so and as long as I'm enjoying it and as long as the people in here want me to, that's the most important thing for me.
"It couldn't be further from my thoughts at the moment because this first game is everything and the other stuff looks after itself once you get the day job right."
Sexton recently returned to action from a two-month lay-off after twisting his ankle in the 29-20 win over the All Blacks in November.
Ireland will look to take the momentum from their successful Autumn series, which also featured comprehensive wins over Japan and Argentina, in the Six Nations.
First up is reigning champions Wales at the Aviva and the visitors, despite missing captain Alun-Wyn Jones and seven other Lions tourists, have the capability to hurt Ireland.
Sexton said: “It’s going to be huge because Wales have an attacking system that can really stress you.
“They play very wide off phase, but they can be really direct early in the game and early in phases as well, so they challenge you both ways.
“They challenge you physically and they challenge you fitness-wise. They try and keep the ball in play as well by kicking long.
“The thing we pride ourselves on and the thing we want to show everyone is our defence because when you do defend.
“It’s your chance to show people the physical side and how much it means to play for Ireland.”
