Ireland captain Rory Best is eager to conclude contract talks before the Six Nations gets under way.
Best’s deal expires in June and the Ulster hooker wants his future sorted out before the end of this month.
“I will sit down with the IRFU and with [Ireland coach] Joe Schmidt and I will make a decision on that in the next couple of weeks,” said Best.
“I would like it sorted out before the Six Nations so I can concentrate on playing.”
The experienced British and Irish Lion believes he may still be capable of representing his country at the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year, when he will be 37.
“If the World Cup started right now I would have no problem, but you would need a crystal ball to know what I will be like,” he added.
“Right now I still feel I can play for Ireland at the top, top level and World Cup rugby is the top level.”