La Rochelle’s Ronan O’Gara is familiar with the pressure that comes with being a head coach. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ronan O’Gara was pitch-side on Thursday night in Paris, so he got a close-up view of France’s mauling of Ireland. When he read Andy Farrell’s quotes about his team lacking “fight” and “intent”, he could empathise with the Ireland coach because he’s been trying to regenerate his La Rochelle team for two seasons.
That job gives him a great appreciation of what French rugby has to offer in terms of strength in depth. And he believes that Ireland are lacking the resources to compete at the top level when they’re missing so many frontline players.