ROG’s return is a priority

RONAN O’GARA telling us this week that, if anything, he believes his coaching career abroad is only getting started was a tough blow in the gut for Irish rugby fans. The Corkman who lit up the game in this country in the No10 jersey has served his time learning the coaching trade in Paris and, as part of Ireland’s coaching team for the summer tour of the US and Far East, it was presumed he was taking one step on his journey back home for good. The IRFU, and Joe Schmidt, were smart in getting O’Gara on board for the months ahead, but it is also time to get down to some hard talking with our Grand Slam winning hero – and ensure that he sees Ireland, or Munster or Leinster or whomever, as part of his immediate future. We cannot rely on foreign coaches forever. The Pat Lams and the Stuart Lancasters will come and go, but there will also come a time when Irish rugby will need more of their own at the wheel. O’Gara (above) will be needed here, sooner or later.