Johnny Sexton has not closed the door on playing beyond France 2023.
During the Six Nations last March, the Leinster and Ireland skipper announced his plans to retire after the next World Cup and said he wanted to make the most of his last 18 months before hanging up his boots.
But Sexton's form this year has put him on the World Rugby Player of the Year shortlist, the award he won in 2018.
READ MORE: Johnny Sexton on meeting Steph Curry, learning from high achievers and why his Lions snub drives him
Asked by MirrorSport if that has given him pause to reflect on his decision, the 37-year-old replied: “My brothers are on to me as well. They’re giving me guilt at the moment.
"They’re saying, ‘What are we going to do, like, when you retire?’ They love coming to the games, they almost feel like they’re playing the game themselves.
"My wife is not talking to me like that!
“So, look, I just need to concentrate on what’s ahead of me, and that’s all I am doing - concentrating on this season and trying to make the most of every opportunity I get, and please God get to the World Cup and then see what happens.”
When then asked if that means he is leaving the door open, Sexton responded: “Well, you guys caught me by surprise when I announced the (contract) extension.
"I thought it was a good news story, ‘Does this mean you’re retiring after?’ You can’t get rid of me quick enough!
"So, it caught me by surprise. I genuinely didn’t expect that question in the first place and I hadn’t prepared for it and I kind of thought, it is not kind of obvious?
"But we’ll see, we’ll see.”
The veteran out-half has declared himself "ready to go" for his 110th Ireland cap against Australia on Saturday night, despite fearing that he wouldn't make it back in time after suffering a dead leg against South Africa.
"Last week was a bit of a struggle with swelling and fluid and stuff like that," he revealed.
"It was just managing that and then making sure I get the right amount of training in this week to be able to perform but also not do too much that swells it up again.
"It’s good to go, feels good and I’m ready.”
Predictably, Sexton is expecting a different challenge from Australia to what Ireland faced against the Springboks.
He remarked: “They are an outstanding team with very, very good individuals littered throughout it, so that’s the first thing.
"They have very good coaches and they are Australia! They love being the underdog, they love coming to play against teams that are maybe ranked ahead of them, or they see as a scalp and that’s where they come into their own.
"And they have done forever, as long as I can remember watching them. They’ve always had big performances in them, and they will be no different this week.”
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