Keith Earls was hailed "a class act" and "a legend" after appearing on Friday night's Late Late Show.
The Munster and Ireland legend sat down with Patrick Kielty just weeks after retiring from rugby following Andy Farrell's men World Cup elimination at the hands of New Zealand in Paris.
Earls spoke on a wide range of topics with the host as he discussed the hurt of that All Blacks defeat, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and his mental health struggles
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On the loss to New Zealand, he said: "It's still stinging. There's a motto you go by in life - you just have to accept it. I met Johnny (Sexton) last night and some of the coaches and it's still hurting, it's still raw and what could have been, but I've learned to accept it. There's nothing we can do about it now. We just have to learn and hopefully the lads move on and do something no other Irish team has done in four years' time."
Earls also opened up about wanting to be medication free, something which he achieved this year.
He explained: "Being reliant on medication and I know it's very important for people to take medication but I didn't want to rely on it and I felt if I just kept working hard and understanding myself... I wanted to be medication free.
"The turning point was, you had Blindboy on last week, I done his podcast with psychologist Declan Aherne and afterwards we were just chatting and he was like 'will you come and have a chat with me and see where we can take it?'
"He actually set me up with a lovely woman. We went and we thrashed things out and I told her I want to be medication free and I want to be able to do it on my own.
"We went on my journey, I don't want to say what I done because other people might try and do it and what works for me isn't going to work for everyone, but the first thing is go and talk and then figure out and do things that you want to do that make you happy and that's exactly what I done."
Viewers took to social media in their droves to praise Earls, with one saying: "Great interview with the Irish legend that is Keith Earls on the @RTELateLateShow. Honest, open, genuine, the recent rugby World Cup and talking about the harder times in an Ireland jersey. Legend he is and gave everything each time he played!"
Someone else commented: "Keith Earls is a class act on and off the field."
"One other fan wrote: "Brilliant interview with the great Keith Earls. A really honest & down to earth person who has shone a light on talking openly about Mental health. Bravo @KEITHEARLS87 on everything you achieved with @IrishRugby."
"Keith Earls. A legend," read another post.
One other supporter commented: "Keith Earls is an absolute sporting legend. He was an absolute warrior on the pitch So many of us have mental health issues & Keith speaking out about his bipolar disorder has helped countless people. We are so lucky to have him."
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