“You have got to have those ambitions, I think, because you want to be the best you can be.”
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has always been open about his ambitions to coach at the highest level in rugby, and following his side’s European win over Bath on Friday, he gave further insight into where he wants to go next.
While he has achieved greatness in France – winning two Champions Cups – his ultimate goal is to lead a test rugby side.
Currently, however, most of the most sought after international jobs are locked up at the moment, other than the head coach mantle at Wales, which is held by Warren Gatland.
But given the country’s awful form this year – which has seen them lose every game as they find themselves in the midst of a 12-game losing streak – Gatland’s role is under scrutiny.
With the awful state of the Welsh Rugby Union, O’Gara’s answer when asked whether he would consider the job was predictable and understandable.
He said:
I haven’t thought about that, to be honest with you. Without lacking humility, I would prefer Ireland, England or France.
You have got to have those ambitions, I think, because you want to be the best you can be.
There are Test jobs I would bite people’s hands off for. That usually works itself out if you are good enough at your club.
Ronan O’Gara wants an international job
After Graham Rowntree’s sudden departure from Munster earlier this season, O’Gara’s name was in the mix to replace him, but he was adamant that he would be seeing his contract out with La Rochelle until 2027.
He said on Off The Ball: “I am contracted to 2027. One of the things I learned from players I played with and other people who managed me is that a contract is a contract. I signed until 2027 and unless I get fired, I’ll be there until 2027.”
With head coach jobs usually up for grabs after a World Cup, this is perfect timing for the former Ireland and Munster out-half to take the next step in his coaching career.
The 47-year-old, who has been with La Rochelle since 2019, also spoke about his demanding nature and the trophy which still alludes him and his team.
He added: “In France I am seen as very demanding and difficult because of standards I try and keep, but I just want players to try and experience what I did.
“I got so much out of the game. It gave me wonderful emotions, and now I want to really try and give back. We have only won Europe twice. We’ve never won a Bouclier (French Top 14 title), so the attraction, determination and the carrot is huge.
“The emotion for it in La Rochelle is special because of what we’ve done. We need our ground humming against Bristol.
“Our force was always, like Munster back in the day, the 17,000 in the Deflandre willing us over the line. Now, they sit down and watch a game. That can’t happen. It’s the same with our team, but we need to give them something to shout about.
“It is an absolute dogfight because every game is difficult in the Top 14. People who are maybe not associated with it don’t realise it’s a scrap.”
