MUNSTER CAPTAIN PETER O’Mahony says he hopes to make a decision on his future by early January as he holds out for the IRFU to table a new and improved central contract offer.

O’Mahony has reportedly rejected the IRFU’s initial attempt to retain his services beyond his current deal amid interest from France and England. The 28-year-old — who is out of contract this summer — and his advisers feel the offer falls short of his market value.

Speaking ahead of Munster’s Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers this weekend, O’Mahony said: “Look, it’s well documented at this time of year you get offers from clubs in France and England. I’m going to leave my agents sort all that side of it.

“It’s very important for me to concentrate on such two big tests with Leicester this weekend or next weekend. I hope to have it wrapped up one way or another regardless by the New Year.”

O’Mahony, who captained the Lions in the first Test against the All Blacks in June and has won 42 Ireland caps, was then asked: ‘You’re a Munster man true and true, aren’t you?’

He replied: “Obviously I am but, look, it’s professional sport, it’s a short career, and as I said hopefully it will be done by the new year one way or the other.

“Look lads, I can’t sit here as a Munster captain and discuss that with ye, you know what I mean? That’s for my agents to deal with. I’ll leave it at that.”

It’s believed one of the offers from France would see O’Mahony double his salary if he was to move to the Top 14.

Should the flanker decide his future lies away from Thomond Park, O’Mahony’s departure would represent another significant blow for the province who have already lost Donnacha Ryan and now Simon Zebo to lucrative offers from abroad.

For now, O’Mahony insists he remains 100% committed to Munster as they gear up for Saturday’s visit of Leicester to Limerick.

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