BOD: I came close to leaving

Brian O'Driscoll admits he was unsure over his future at Leinster last season.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll admits the chance to lead Leinster to glory persuaded him to sign a new contract.

The centre put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal earlier this week after negotiations with his club and the Irish Rugby Football Union.

O'Driscoll - who has already won 65 caps for his country - will now stay on as skipper of both Leinster and Ireland until 2011.

News of his decision dashed the hopes of several big sides, including Toulouse, Biarritz and Leicester, who all had hopes of luring him away from his homeland.

The 27-year-old confesses he considered leaving Leinster last season but is now happy to stay put, particularly since the arrival of coach Michael Cheika.

"The contract was kept quiet because it was important we kept negotiations to ourselves this time around and didn't create a hullabaloo," he said. "The way it worked out was very amicable. Both parties were very happy with the situation.

"I was pretty close to leaving last year. I was unsure of the Leinster situation.

"When Michael Cheika and David Knox came in I had to give them an opportunity and I've really enjoyed them as coaches since.

"It was all about the Leinster side of it and how the union treats players with the number of games played. All of that put together convinced me to stay. I believe Leinster can achieve something in the next few years."

O'Driscoll was named Player of the Championship in last year's Six Nations after leading Ireland to the Triple Crown.

He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand last year, although a shoulder injury minutes into the first Test cut short his involvement.