Ronan O’Gara got first-hand experience of one of the best Irish backs in the game right now.
The former Munster and Ireland outhalf is back home after his 11-day stint with Joe Schmidt and his coaching staff, at Carton House and in the United States. He describes it as one of the most rewarding experiences of his coaching career.
He is also sporting an injury picked up during some full-on training session and with young gun Garry Ringrose running down his channel.
O’Gara detailed the injury during The Hard Yards [from 14:50] and had nothing but praise about the Leinster star.
“I have a sore thumb from my… extensive training in the USA,” O’Gara revealed. “I got taken out by Garry Ringrose on a good hit-line I ran in training.
“I’m icing it and Game Ready-ing the thumb every spare moment.” O’Gara continued:
“I was defending at 12 [in training] so I’d say they were pretty fearful of me at 12, in the D-line! I didn’t have a rashers what was going on.
“Garry Ringrose was coming straight at me. I was really impressed with him. I was the same with Keith Earls at that age. Why these guys stand out is their personality, their attitude or their character – this guy is so humble.”
Injured thumb or not, O’Gara says it was a joy to coach ‘the next generation’ as they were so humble, respectful and ready to work hard. The days of rocking up for Ireland training and catching up for jokes over flat whites appears to be over.
Asked if he would like to get involved with the Ireland coaching set-up again, O’Gara replied with a smile that he was ‘available for selection’.
