Speculation linking Jerry Collins with a move to Ireland is likely to increase over the coming weeks after the backrow forward confirmed his decision to leave New Zealand.

Collins has been given an early release from his New Zealand Rugby Union contract and will take a break from the game before considering his future.

Reports in recent weeks have linked Collins with summer moves to both Munster and Leinster but the dynamic 27-year-old insists there are no offers on the table at the moment.

"I wanted to do it the right way with respect to the Hurricanes, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Wellington Rugby Union," he explained.

"You can't negotiate while you're still contracted so at the moment the cupboard is pretty bare but I'm sure there's someone out there who will give me a job for a couple of weeks."

Collins' decision brings to an end a New Zealand Test career that began against Argentina in Christchurch in 2001 and ended in disappointment with last year's World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff.

He played 48 Test matches, including three as captain.