EUROPEAN CLUB RUGBY and Ronan O’Gara are synonymous, so it’s no major surprise that the Cork man is back in a Champions Cup final only three seasons into his coaching career.
O’Gara is built for this stage and one presumes that his understanding of European deciders will be drawn on this week as Racing look to create history after reaching this stage for the first time ever.
O'Gara is involved in his first Champions Cup final as a coach. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
While the four Irish provinces regrettably have a week off ahead of Saturday’s decider in Lyon, O’Gara is busy readying his Racing 92 defence for an onslaught from Mark McCall’s Saracens.
Ex-Ireland international McCall’s quality has been well established since leaving Ulster, while O’Gara would argue that he is still learning the ropes in the world of coaching. Irish involvement in this final is welcome.
O’Gara’s impact at Racing has grown impressively since his move to France in 2013. The Top 14 club have conceded the fewest points [102] and tries [8] in this season’s Champions Cup.
The 39-year-old has been an important part of the off-field growth of the club too, his experience helping as Jacky Lorenzetti’s high-profile signings have settled in and adapted to the demands of French rugby.
O’Gara’s excellent work led to Lorenzetti tying the Irishman down with a new contract that extends into 2019. He is very much part of the Racing family for now.
The man himself has been open about the fact that a return to Munster will always attract him, while linking up with his friend Paul O’Connell may also be on the cards at some point.
Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton saw the opening of O’Gara’s foray into the coaching world up close as he joined Racing at the same time, spending two seasons working closely with his former rival before a return to Leinster.
O'Gara and Sexton worked together at Racing. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Sexton senses that this is still very much the beginning for O’Gara’s new career.
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“Obviously, we became great friends,” says Sexton of his time working with O’Gara in Racing. “We spent a lot of time together over there.
“Working day-to-day was great, just chatting to him. The early part when I was there was tough going in terms of just adapting and getting used to the place. Having him there was key for me.
“I think he’ll have a bright future in coaching. He’s obviously contracted there for another few years, so his immediate plan will be there.
Then you could see him coming back to Munster in the future I’d say, or Ireland. You never know. But he’s has done it the right way. He’s sort of building into it rather than going straight in the deep end.”
Indeed, O’Gara was wise in getting out of the Munster bubble after hanging up his playing boots. He understood that he needed to learn his new craft away from the incessant and demanding eyes of Irish media and supporters, as well as the coaches and players he knew so well.
Racing provided that opportunity and O’Gara has thrived. He quite possibly did not imagine himself taking control of the defensive side of the game so soon, and has said himself that he needs to learn attack coaching in the coming seasons.
O'Gara with current Racing out-half Dan Carter. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Indeed, Sexton believes that it’s in that area of the game where O’Gara could excel even more.
“I think his role should be what he was known for; his [attacking] skills,” says Sexton. “Obviously, as an out-half his expertise should be in attack really. If they gave him the attack, he would probably have more of an influence.
“He has been doing the defence and you can see that is the most organised part of their game. Maybe they could look into giving him a bigger role on the attack side of things.”
It remains to be seen if Racing alter O’Gara’s remit in the coming years, but Sexton suggests that the former Munster out-half’s influence with Racing has grown since his arrival.
I suppose ROG’s input when I was there was limited in the first year and then he got more of a role in his second year when his French was better and he knew the coaches better.
“Then I presume he’s taken a bigger role this year. I think a guy like Chris Masoe, from speaking to ROG, has had a huge influence on the group and on the way they structure their week.
“They probably learned lessons from me and a few of the Welsh boys that were there in terms of how to manage the foreigners, as we were when we were there.
“I think a lot has changed this year over there, from speaking to ROG. His influence would have been key on the whole environment and the way the team is run.”
Sexton didn't fully win over the Racing fans. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Sexton and Welsh pair Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts might have cast a jealous glance at Racing’s progress into the Champions Cup final after their departures, but the Leinster out-half says he is delighted for the club.
Racing’s recruitment in the last two years has increasingly targeted experienced and proven winners and Sexton points to the trio of Masoe, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko as “influential players in the team.”
Sexton admits his first year in Racing involved a major adaptation, while he points out that he missed “four of five months” of the second year due to injuries and international duties.
Many French commentators have been critical of Sexton’s stint in Paris, but the out-half says he looks back without any big regrets. He has been in contact with “good friends” in the club since their semi-final win over Leicester and wishes them well for Saturday.
I can look back at what happened and say anything I did when I was there was for the good of the group,” says Sexton.
“I can look back on my time there and say I did my best. Things didn’t work out towards the end, like I said, with injuries. They were happy with me… things were going great from my point of view in the first year if not for the team.
“Yeah, the second year was a bit of a disappointment but if I could go back and do it all again, I don’t think I would change much.
“I wish the boys well. I will support them. I don’t begrudge them or anything like that.”
- This piece was updated at 8.24 to correct an error stating that Racing had beaten Toulon, rather than Leicester, in the Champions Cup semi-finals.
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'You could see him coming back to Munster in the future, or Ireland' - Sexton
EUROPEAN CLUB RUGBY and Ronan O’Gara are synonymous, so it’s no major surprise that the Cork man is back in a Champions Cup final only three seasons into his coaching career.
O’Gara is built for this stage and one presumes that his understanding of European deciders will be drawn on this week as Racing look to create history after reaching this stage for the first time ever.
While the four Irish provinces regrettably have a week off ahead of Saturday’s decider in Lyon, O’Gara is busy readying his Racing 92 defence for an onslaught from Mark McCall’s Saracens.
Ex-Ireland international McCall’s quality has been well established since leaving Ulster, while O’Gara would argue that he is still learning the ropes in the world of coaching. Irish involvement in this final is welcome.
O’Gara’s impact at Racing has grown impressively since his move to France in 2013. The Top 14 club have conceded the fewest points [102] and tries [8] in this season’s Champions Cup.
The 39-year-old has been an important part of the off-field growth of the club too, his experience helping as Jacky Lorenzetti’s high-profile signings have settled in and adapted to the demands of French rugby.
O’Gara’s excellent work led to Lorenzetti tying the Irishman down with a new contract that extends into 2019. He is very much part of the Racing family for now.
The man himself has been open about the fact that a return to Munster will always attract him, while linking up with his friend Paul O’Connell may also be on the cards at some point.
Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton saw the opening of O’Gara’s foray into the coaching world up close as he joined Racing at the same time, spending two seasons working closely with his former rival before a return to Leinster.
Sexton senses that this is still very much the beginning for O’Gara’s new career.
“Obviously, we became great friends,” says Sexton of his time working with O’Gara in Racing. “We spent a lot of time together over there.
“Working day-to-day was great, just chatting to him. The early part when I was there was tough going in terms of just adapting and getting used to the place. Having him there was key for me.
“I think he’ll have a bright future in coaching. He’s obviously contracted there for another few years, so his immediate plan will be there.
Indeed, O’Gara was wise in getting out of the Munster bubble after hanging up his playing boots. He understood that he needed to learn his new craft away from the incessant and demanding eyes of Irish media and supporters, as well as the coaches and players he knew so well.
Racing provided that opportunity and O’Gara has thrived. He quite possibly did not imagine himself taking control of the defensive side of the game so soon, and has said himself that he needs to learn attack coaching in the coming seasons.
Indeed, Sexton believes that it’s in that area of the game where O’Gara could excel even more.
“I think his role should be what he was known for; his [attacking] skills,” says Sexton. “Obviously, as an out-half his expertise should be in attack really. If they gave him the attack, he would probably have more of an influence.
“He has been doing the defence and you can see that is the most organised part of their game. Maybe they could look into giving him a bigger role on the attack side of things.”
It remains to be seen if Racing alter O’Gara’s remit in the coming years, but Sexton suggests that the former Munster out-half’s influence with Racing has grown since his arrival.
“Then I presume he’s taken a bigger role this year. I think a guy like Chris Masoe, from speaking to ROG, has had a huge influence on the group and on the way they structure their week.
“They probably learned lessons from me and a few of the Welsh boys that were there in terms of how to manage the foreigners, as we were when we were there.
“I think a lot has changed this year over there, from speaking to ROG. His influence would have been key on the whole environment and the way the team is run.”
Sexton and Welsh pair Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts might have cast a jealous glance at Racing’s progress into the Champions Cup final after their departures, but the Leinster out-half says he is delighted for the club.
Racing’s recruitment in the last two years has increasingly targeted experienced and proven winners and Sexton points to the trio of Masoe, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko as “influential players in the team.”
Sexton admits his first year in Racing involved a major adaptation, while he points out that he missed “four of five months” of the second year due to injuries and international duties.
Many French commentators have been critical of Sexton’s stint in Paris, but the out-half says he looks back without any big regrets. He has been in contact with “good friends” in the club since their semi-final win over Leicester and wishes them well for Saturday.
“I can look back on my time there and say I did my best. Things didn’t work out towards the end, like I said, with injuries. They were happy with me… things were going great from my point of view in the first year if not for the team.
“Yeah, the second year was a bit of a disappointment but if I could go back and do it all again, I don’t think I would change much.
“I wish the boys well. I will support them. I don’t begrudge them or anything like that.”
- This piece was updated at 8.24 to correct an error stating that Racing had beaten Toulon, rather than Leicester, in the Champions Cup semi-finals.
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Coaching Future European Rugby Champions Cup finalist Ireland Johnny Sexton Munster ROG Ronan O'Gara