All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has given his clearest indication yet that he is set to retire ahead of the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour.

McCaw was one of the scourges of the Lions back in 2005 when they last visited New Zealand, starting the first two tests and

as the Lions slipped to a

.

But the 34-year-old – the most capped All Blacks captain having led the side 101 times – admits welcoming the Lions again in 2017 may well be a step too far.

Despite being set to overtake Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll as the most capped international ever later this year, McCaw ruled out a big-money move to France on Thursday and insists his retirement after the World Cup is most probable.

"Honestly, I haven't made any final decisions, but the likelihood is I am not going to be playing next year," he said.

"I am not looking overseas and nothing has changed there. I've always said that if I was enjoying it and wanted to carry on playing then I would play here in New Zealand.

"If I'm not enjoying it and decide I've got to go off just play to earn some cash I think that would be pretty tough.

"But I don't want to be getting carried away now, talking about those sorts of things when I am focusing on playing.

"I want to really enjoy this year but, as I say, that's the likelihood and I don't want to make any big announcements because I don't think that would be right going into a season."