Western Daily Press (Saturday)
O’Gara’s experience has rubbed off at La Rochelle
JONO Gibbes has hailed the influence of Ronan O’Gara on La Rochelle as they prepare for a debut European Champions Cup final appearance.
Today’s showpiece final will see an anticipated 10,000 crowd at Twickenham for the first all-French final since 2015, as La Rochelle tackle four-time champions of Europe Toulouse.
Former Ireland fly-half O’Gara, La Rochelle’s head coach, experienced European Cup final delight and despair with Munster, finishing on the losing side against Northampton 21 years ago, then helping them win the tournament in 2006 and 2008.
“There is a long association with this tournament in Ireland, a proud tradition going all the way back to Ulster (1999 champions) and then Munster and Leinster,” said La Rochelle rugby director Gibbes, Leinster’s forwards coach when they won three European titles.
“The interest in Ireland in this competition and connection has always been a strong one, and from Ronan’s playing days at Munster he created a strong folklore, winning two titles.
“I think what this group has benefited from is his experience – having failed in finals too – and him sharing with the group what he learnt from those experiences, especially his first final.
“His quality and his confidence as a coach is pretty well-documented this season.
“For me, my biggest compliment is he has come into a club which is a traditional attacking club with not a massive focus on defence, but he has helped instil a real defensive steel, a system that all the players have bought into and understand. That is a strong indicator of a quality coach who is confident, but can also communicate effectively and educate players. That is what I have seen firsthand working with him.”
On the return of spectators to the stands, Gibbes added: “To be able to play in front of a crowd, it will be great to feel that ambience again.”