- Ronan O’Gara is ready to move to Test rugby after stellar club coaching career
- Steve Borthwick has won just five of 12 games in 2024 as England coach
- And ex-fly-half O’Gara says he’d love to coach England or home nation Ireland
Ronan O’Gara has put England and Ireland on alert after he admitted he has ambitions to work at international level with one of both countries, or France, in the future.
Former fly-half O’Gara, 47, is one of the most highly regarded coaches in rugby after winning two European titles with French giants La Rochelle and stints with Crusaders and Racing 92.
The 47-year-old Irish legend revealed he has been thinking about progressing to Test rugby.
‘Of course, I am. You’ve got to have those ambitions because you want to be the best you can be. There are Test jobs I’d bite people’s hands off for,’ O’Gara said.
‘That usually works itself out if you’re good enough at your club.’
O’Gara ruled himself out of leading Wales, where current boss Warren Gatland is under serious pressure after presiding over a national record of 12 straight Test losses.
Ronan O’Gara (left) is one of the most highly regarded coaches in rugby after winning two European titles with French giants La Rochelle and stints with Crusaders and Racing 92
England endured a poor autumn with defeats by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa
The pressure is on head coach Steve Borthwick but the RFU are expected to stick with him
The Welsh Rugby Union is currently undertaking a review of their senior men’s side’s performance with a decision on whether or not Gatland will stay in charge expected before Christmas. ‘I haven’t thought about that to be honest with you,’ O’Gara said, when asked by Mail Sport if he would be interested in the Wales job should Gatland move on.
‘Without lacking humility, I’d prefer Ireland, England or France.’
With Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell in charge respectively, England and Ireland are both unlikely to change their head coaches in the near future. France, meanwhile, also have a well-established boss in Fabien Galthie. But all three countries will surely note O’Gara’s comments with interest.
Borthwick retains the full backing of the RFU. However, he won just five of 12 games in 2024.
‘In France, I’m seen as very demanding and difficult because of standards I try and keep, but I just want players to experience what I did,’ said O’Gara.
‘I got so much out of the game. It gave me wonderful emotions and now I want to really try and give back. There’s only one guy who can show the way. I’m the leader.’
O’Gara is a passionate coach and an Irish rugby legend due to his record-breaking career with his country and province of Munster.
In La Rochelle’s opening Champions Cup win over Bath last Friday, he regularly shouted and swore throughout the game, his language offending some home supporters at The Rec who confronted him about it at the final whistle. O’Gara apologised for any offence caused.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell’s stock is higher and he will lead the Lions’ tour next summer
O’Gara has ruled himself out of coaching Wales which will come as a relief to Warren Gatland
Former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara tussles with England’s Chris Robshaw back in 2013
Next up for La Rochelle is another meeting with an English side in Bristol on Saturday.
Pat Lam’s Bears are sweating on the fitness of England star Ellis Genge for their meeting with O’Gara’s men after he suffered a minor calf injury in his team’s 35-12 defeat by Leinster.
Genge came off with cramp in his calf, but it was the same muscle in which he suffered a serious injury earlier this year which forced him to miss England’s summer Tests.
With that in mind, Bristol are likely to exercise caution. Bears fly-half AJ MacGinty is also unlikely to face La Rochelle after head and rib injuries suffered against Leinster.
It means young No 10 Sam Worsley is set to start at No 10.
