Jamie Heaslip admits that his future may lie away from Leinster as his current contract expires at the end of the season.

The Ireland and Leinster number eight has made 219 appearances for the province in a career spanning more than a decade, and has been present for some of the side's most memorable results.

Speaking to BT Sport, Heaslip confessed that he may be looking overseas to continue his career past his 33rd birthday, and that his agent is feeling out offers from abroad.

"I'm giving thought to everywhere to be honest," he said. "I think a player has to assess his options. My agent is out there assessing the options for me, so he'll lay it all out on the table and we'll make a decision in some case."

Heaslip pointed to the fact that he has spent so much time abroad in his early years, that he would not be averse to perhaps finishing his career abroad.

"I travelled a lot in my life, I'm an army brat and I've lived abroad plenty. If that's the call I have to make, that's the call I have to make. We're a long, long way from making any sort of decision."

Heaslip has emerged as one of the leading Irish figures following the retirement of Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in recent years. 

He has been one of the driving forces behind Ireland's stunning November series where Joe Schmidt's side beat Australia, Canada and for the first time in their history, the All Blacks.

.@jamieheaslip tells @RugbyTonight Extra's @andNickMullins that his playing future may lie away from @leinsterrugby. https://t.co/qb88YGVnxh

— Rugby Tonight (@RugbyTonight) December 8, 2016