Former Ireland international rugby player Ronan O’Gara has issued a public apology to his wife Jessica following remarks made on national television last week.

During the course of a wide-ranging interview with Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy on Friday night, the ex-Munster player commented: "I wouldn't be nervous getting up on Jessica but I would be nervous kicking a ball".

Speaking on social media this afternoon, O’Gara expressed regret over what he deemed a “very poor joke”.

After a riotous reaction among the audience present, the decorated kicker’s quip generated a huge and varied response on social media.

O'Gara was a high-profile addition to RTÉ's Six Nations coverage at the beginning of last year, and went on to contribute analysis ahead of last weekend's second round of fixtures.