Ronan O' Gara has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby, while also announcing a surprise move to French Top 14 side Racing Metro as a coach. O'Gara has signed a two year deal with the club, where he will now become Jonathan Sexton's coach.

Munster have posted a statement online confirming the speculation from yesterday.

The 36 year old is reported to have agreed a two-year contract as a coach with Racing Metro, where he'll be working with fellow Irish out-half Jonathan Sexton.

Munster statement

Munster have announced that Ronan O'Gara has retired from playing professional rugby. It's understood that the 36 year old will take up a coaching role abroad at the start of the 2013/14 season.

It’s understood that the 36 year old will take up a coaching role with Parisien club Racing Metro at the start of the 2013/14 season.

Munster's most decorated player, O'Gara's been capped 240 times in a career that began in August 1997 and saw him steer Munster to Irish Interprovincial, Celtic League, Celtic Cup, Magners League and 2 Heineken cup titles in which time he scored a record 2625 points including 1365 Heineken cup points to become the all time leading points scorer in that competition, a feat unlikely to be surpassed

In addition he has been capped 128 times by Ireland and toured with the Lions on 3 occasions.