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Published 12:28 3 Sept 2026 BST
Updated 12:28 3 Sept 2026 BST

No other head coach in rugby receives the same amount of speculation as La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara.
The most recent rumours were links to the head coach job at Leinster, with Leo Cullen leaving at the end of the season.
However, reports from France have said that O'Gara is close to signing a new four-year deal with the French club, keeping him there until 2031.
The former Munster and Ireland out-half has been with Stade Rochelais since 2019; winning two Champions Cups (2022 and 2023), and losing two Top 14 finals, both to Toulouse.
His desire to finally win the Bouclier and his clear love for his team and city will have played a huge part in his decision, as would the relative lack of big international head coaching jobs available, with the World Cup around the corner.
However, a four-year deal would end at the same time Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's deal finished, and ROG has been clear in the past about his desire to coach his home nation.
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