Few rugby rumours are more persistent than those linking Ronan O’Gara with eventually finding himself as head coach of Ireland.
The Munster legend has marked himself out as one of the most exciting coaches in world rugby in recent years, progressing from early assistant roles at Racing 92 and the Crusaders to bringing La Rochelle to back-to-back Champions Cup crowns.
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His exploits in France have seen him regularly linked with some of the biggest jobs in world rugby, including as head coach with England, France, or in his native Munster.
However, it is the Irish job which many fans on these shores have the highest hopes of seeing O’Gara eventually landing in.
O’Gara was back on Irish soil on Saturday, but did not speak to the media after his La Rochelle side were beaten in dramatic fashion by Leinster in their third Champions Cup pool game.
The Rugby Pod discussed that game as part of their recap, and ex-Scotland lock Jim Hamilton had a massive revelation about Ronan O’Gara’s chances of replacing Andy Farrell after the 2027 World Cup.
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Jim Hamilton reveals Ronan O’Gara – Ireland rumours
17 December 2022; La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara, right, and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B Round 2 match between Ulster and La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Jim Hamilton, Andy Goode, and Rugby Pod producer Rob Graham discussed Ronan O’Gara’s future after their analysis of the weekend’s European Rugby this week.
“No post-match press conference,” Hamilton said of O’Gara’s no-show at the Aviva on Saturday.
“Rumoured he was preparing to have meetings with La Rochelle hierarchy regarding the future. Is that true, Rob, or have you just put that in there as a bit of spice?”
Graham then responded (tongue-in-cheek) that he had merely added the La Rochelle angle in for “spice,” before revealing that he had heard solid rumours that the IRFU are moving to secure O’Gara as Andy Farrell’s replacement in 2027.
Farrell’s contract runs to the end of the World Cup cycle, with his future from then unconfirmed.
Hamilton and Goode discussed the chances of “Faz” returning to Saracens, where his son Owen currently plays, and said that the demand for O’Gara’s services could force the IRFU’s hand.
Hamilton:Â “I’m hearing those rumours as well. I didn’t know he was speaking to the hierarchy of La Rochelle. For me, succession plan for Ireland…Andy Farrell, where does he go?”
Goode:Â “Do you think he goes to England after we win the World Cup? Where does he go? Saracens?”
Hamilton:Â “Saracens, back to Saracens…imagine!”
Goode:Â “I’m just thinking, from my perspective…international coaching…it depends how much. Stay at Ireland, if he wins the World Cup, he stays at Ireland.”
Hamilton:Â “I think Ireland, he’s been in the job nine years now, has he taken them as far as he can? It’s a natural evolution. Also, I think you lose ROG. Now is the time for Ronan O’Gara, he’s done his apprenticeship, he’s out there, actively – I imagine – looking at what’s next. He’s probably taken La Rochelle, with the profile of the team, as far as he can go. He is an international quality coach, would you want to see Ronan O’Gara coaching another country if you’re Irish?”
Goode:Â “No, I wouldn’t, but I know Ronan O’Gara would look at other international coaching jobs as well.”
Hamilton:Â “And that’s why. Ireland won’t want to lose him.”
The revelation that talks may be ongoing to bring Ronan O’Gara to the Ireland job is a big one, but perhaps not so unexpected.
It feels extremely likely the Corkonian will at least be considered for the job once Andy Farrell’s tenure comes to an end.
Whether or not he will accept the job is a different matter entirely.
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