Andrew Goodman said it was a “difficult” decision to leave Leinster but the opportunity to move on to coaching at the next level was too good to pass up.
The New Zealander will take over from Mike Catt at the end of the season as Ireland’s attack coach, having spent the last two years at the four-time European champions.
The IRFU announced last month that the 41-year-old, who made 17 appearances for Leinster between 2012 and 2014, would replace Cat, who joined manager Andy Farrell’s side in 2020.
Farrell is expected to name his Six Nations training squad this afternoon.
“This is very exciting and a huge honor for myself,” Goodman, who joined Samoa’s back team at the last World Cup, told RTÉ Sport.
“It’s a bit of a long way off, but it’s exciting things that will happen in the future and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.
“about [how it comes about]generally catching up and the conversation really.
“I hope we worked hard for it. It wasn’t anything special, but we really just had a conversation and went from there.
“In some ways this is a difficult decision because I have absolutely loved my time here in Leinster and I have settled into my second year.
“Leaving was really difficult to understand because I know everyone so well.
“After stepping under the table and really enjoying it, I’m also very excited to have the opportunity to move up to the next level and test myself.
“It’s a huge honor for me and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Leinster concluded their Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 campaign against Leicester on Saturday.
Last weekend, they secured a place in the last 16 by defeating Stade Français, who refused to send a full squad to Dublin, 43-7.
Asked how much to take away from a win against a team that may have other focuses, Goodman said: “There were some great things our players did well. It wasn’t an easy night. “The ball was sticky. I thought a few things.” My skill set has improved across the board.
“I was happy to get some set-piece tries from the first and second phases, we are talking about consistency.
“We felt like we left some points behind, but when we were in the 22nd at Stade Français, we let them slip away with some penalties in the first half.
“Starting today we’re going to look at all these simple things.”
Watch Munster v Northampton in the Champions Cup on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this Saturday from 4:45pm. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1.