Leinster's Cian Healy has confirmed that he was offered the chance to leave the Irish province a couple of times but admits he never wanted to leave.
Healy has played 278 times for Leinster since he made his debut for the province on May 5, 2007, against Border Reivers.
Throughout his career, Healy has won numerous honours with Leinster, including four European Rugby Champions Cup titles (2009, 2011, 2012, 2018), seven Pro12/Pro14 titles (2008, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), and one European Challenge Cup (2013).
After 16 years with his province, the 36-year-old is nearing the end of his playing career, and retirement is becoming a relevant topic.
The topic did come up last year, but Healy opted to stay with Leinster this season.
Speaking about his decision, the Clontarf native explained that it was an easy decision to make because of the happy place he was in.
Cian Healy during the Amlin Challenge Cup Semi-Final match between Leinster and Biarritz Olympique at Royal Dublin Society on April 27, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)"The deal was done a while ago, so it's been off my chest for a bit," said Healy. "I've been in a happy place for a while—no extracurricular noise.
"It's a very short career, and to get offered another shot at it, another year to achieve things, and to make special memories with a group of people that you won't do any more with after you stop, yeah, it's a pretty easy decision.
"I have a very driven house at home; my wife is very driven at work, and I'm very driven here, and I think it feeds in naturally at home; we support each other in that. So home-wise, there was no question about it."
Healy also claimed that there were a number of "spicy" offers to depart Leinster, but it never crossed his mind despite an offer made by another club in 2014/2015.
"There were a couple of very spicy offers back in the day, yeah," he added. "If anything, they were just there, though, and I never wanted to leave.
"I never had ambitions of not playing for Ireland or Leinster. I knew I wanted to be here, and living away from my family and friends doesn't greatly appeal to me.
"It was 2014/15. There was a big offer after my injury. But that's the noise, that stuff. It's nice when you're young to feel wanted. You don't say no right away."
Leinster play Ulster this weekend, kicking off at 7:35 PM on Saturday
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