Options open.

Ronan O’Gara has admitted he has spoken to an agent with regards to a potential role with France for the Rugby World Cup – but has dismissed French reports that he is “ready to sign” as “farcical.”

In a revealing and honest interview with Off The Ball’s Joe Molloy, the former Ireland and Munster outhalf says he spoke to a French agent “on a number of fronts” with some of it “to do with the French club game and some of it to do with the French national team.”

“I was learning more from reading [the reports] than anything else! ‘Prêt à signer’ – ready to sign. That’s farcical – you can’t be ready to sign after a conversation with an agent that has nothing to do with anything that goes on,” said O’Gara

In terms of his future, with his contract with the Crusaders set to expire at the end of the current Super Rugby season – O’Gara is keeping his options open. He’s open to staying in New Zealand (wife permitting!), exploring the idea of moving back to France, or even joining Andy Farrell’s Ireland coaching ticket.

The 42-year-old also revealed he’s equally as comfortable working as an attack coach as he is a defence coach, with Ireland potentially looking to bring someone in to cover the former when Joe Schmidt leaves.

“Of course, yeah,” he said on potential interest in relation to a role with Farrell.

“I was in Chicago this year for Ireland – Italy game – I met the staff, and met members of the IRFU and I would chat to them.”

You can watch O’Gara’s interview in full below.