ROG sticking around to wreck Sexton's head

Though trying to flog some energy drinks to thirsty rugby fans, Ronan O’Gara insists he has the hunger again.

MUNSTER OUT HALF Ronan O’Gara did the rounds with the media yesterday as part of a corporate gig for an energy drink (the clue’s in the picture).

And there’s plenty to pick over this morning as he answered questions on a range of topics from Strictly Come Dancing (‘Henson needs to throw on a couple of stone in weight’) to Wayne Rooney (‘who knows what’s really going on’).

The Corkman says that – despite previously-aired plans to retire in the next couple of years, he’ll be sticking around for the foreseeable future, despite his advancing years.

And, telling Matt Cooper on last evening’s Last Word programme on Today FM that he has hunger levels at ‘fever pitch’ again, he’s spoiling for a battle with Johnny Sexton for the No 10 Ireland jersey.

“In previous interviews I may have said that I only plan on playing for another two seasons, but I’ve gone completely the other way now,” O’Gara is quoted as saying in this morning’s Irish Times. “I can’t see myself stopping.”

He adds:

With hindsight it was an inaccurate way of thinking about it. Why would I put a timeline on it? The minute you stop enjoying it or when you think you’re not the best man to play, then you go.

Maybe for a few months when Johnny came on scene I probably struggled to get my head around it. But I’m around long enough to realise that there are many ups and downs.

It takes a long time to prove yourself at international level, and the more you achieve for your country the harder you get knocked. I’ve been so lucky to play for Ireland over the last 10 years. You get marked hard in that position, so I’m happy to have survived and to still be in contention makes me hungry for the road ahead. I haven’t been this motivated for a long time.

Asked what had prompted this fresh enthusiasm, O’Gara pointed to the harmony in both Munster and Ireland camps, according to the Irish Examiner’s Simon Lewis.

The words ringing in my ears from a pre-season meeting from (Munster head coach) Tony McGahan, the one sentence I took out of it was that he wants big players having big seasons. That’s how I view myself and I’m taking it game to game and enjoying it.

Probably the fact that maybe in previous interviews I said I might play for another two seasons. I’ve kind of gone the other way completely now. I feel that I can’t see myself stopping.

The evergreen O’Gara’s impressive form has not gone unnoticed of course, with several Top 14 clubs said to be interested, according to reports in French newspapers. The Irish Independent broached the subject with horse racing fan O’Gara. “I read the Post,” said O’Gara, body-swerving around the question like Shane Williams. He continued:

The IRFU gets knocked a fair bit, but I’ve had an unbelievable relationship with them in terms of negotiating contracts.

With regards to me making any approaches – that’s completely wide of the mark. I’m completely committed to Munster and negotiations will presumably take place around Christmas depending on what Ireland do for me.

O’Gara’s relationship with the young pretender Sexton has been a matter of gossipy chit-chat and speculation for the past year or so. But a seemingly mellow O’Gara insists they are, in fact, BFFs.

I’m getting to know him and enjoy his company. If you can’t get your head around the competition and treat someone as a decent human being, then you’re going nowhere in life. He realises there is competition for the jersey and so do I.