England rugby legend Ben Youngs has made a bold prediction about Ronan O’Gara's coaching future, even amidst La Rochelle's recent struggles.
Youngs believes that Leinster will overcome Stade Rochelais in the Investec Champions Cup. But he also suggests that the challenges O’Gara is currently facing will ultimately benefit him in the long run.
O’Gara, the former Munster and Ireland fly-half, is back at the Aviva Stadium with La Rochelle. However, their performance has significantly changed since they defeated Leinster in the Champions Cup finals of 2022 and 2023.
O’Gara celebrated these victories, especially the second title, where his team made a memorable comeback from being 17 points down. This emotional rollercoaster is detailed in Brendan Fanning's acclaimed book, Touching Distance.
But here's where it gets controversial... La Rochelle's winning streak against Leinster has reversed. The Irish side has won the last three encounters, including a 40-13 quarter-final victory in Dublin in 2024. La Rochelle has also struggled on the road this season, with only one win in seven matches.
These results have raised questions about La Rochelle's ability to compete for trophies. Despite this, Youngs, co-host of the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, believes O’Gara has earned significant credit and remains a highly sought-after coach.
O’Gara is contracted with La Rochelle until the summer of 2027. He was recently linked to an assistant coaching role with the All Blacks under Scott Robertson, who was his boss at the Crusaders in Super Rugby.
Youngs predicts O’Gara will coach at the international level, and the current inconsistencies at La Rochelle will be beneficial in the long run.
"Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle are very vulnerable with injuries; they are not getting the results we are used to seeing and I don’t see them getting the job done at Leinster," Youngs stated in his Planet Rugby column.
Youngs also noted the return of Will Skelton, a key player for La Rochelle, but wasn't sure if it would be enough against Leinster.
He believes the adversity O’Gara is experiencing is a natural part of coaching. Youngs is confident that O’Gara's experiences at Racing 92 and Crusaders have equipped him well, and this current 'sticky patch' is crucial for his development. He believes O’Gara will soon be coaching international rugby and will be a top target for teams seeking a coach.
Switching to Leinster, Youngs believes they are performing well despite any perceived inconsistencies. He notes that they are still winning, even when not at their best. He suggests that Leinster fans should be happy, as the team is peaking at the right time.
And this is the part most people miss... Youngs points out that Leinster is on a seven-match winning streak. He suggests that they are not yet at their peak, which could be a blessing, allowing them to find their best form for the knockout stages.
What do you think? Do you agree with Youngs' assessment of O'Gara's coaching future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
