Ronan O’Gara appears set to sign a three-year contract with La Rochelle to become their new backs coach, according to French reports.
O’Gara’s future has been under a lot of speculation in recent months and it now seems as though he could be joining up with the Challenge Cup runners-up, having lost to Clermont in the final last Friday.
The former Munster man would take over from Xavier Garbajosa, who left the club yesterday. The club announced in a statement that director of rugby Jono Gibbs will discuss his coaching staff come the end of the season.
O’Gara has been working as the backs coach with the Crusaders in Super Rugby, being part of a coaching set-up that has helped the New Zealanders win back-to-back titles.
He has plenty of experience in France, having worked as an assistant with Racing 92, beginning as a kicking coach before moving to becoming a defence coach.
The other options that have been mentioned are possible moves to the French national team or return to Munster, who have lost both Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones as coaches in the past week.
Wherever he goes he seems to bring success and if he does move to La Rochelle, they may be aiming for more than just the Challenge Cup next season.
