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Ronan O'Gara says he'd love to coach England

Ireland player Ronan O' Gara (c) gets involved in a fight with Chris Ashton (r) during the RBS 6 Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on March 19, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has thrown his hat in the ring for the England job on BT Sports, admitting that he’d ‘love to have a go off that’.

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O’Gara, who made headlines this weekend following an ugly sideline confrontation with Bordeaux Begles boss Christophe Urios in the Top 14, was asked would he fancy a go at the job and his answer was emphatic.

BT Sports anchor Craig Doyle directed a question from Twitter to O’Gara in a live Q & A and the former Ireland flyhalf quite happily told him he’s open to coaching the men in white.

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“Yeah, it would be a great job I think actually. Yeah, what a team. There’s so much potential there.

“There’s serious rugby players and serious passion for the game in England. It’s a cracking job, you’d love to have a go off that.”

It’s an interesting take from O’Gara, who is currently contracted to La Rochelle and has said he will honour his contract with the Top 14 side come what may. The 45-year-old is more used to being quizzed about taking over the reins at Munster, a job he previously ruled himself out of.

Whether or not the RFU would entertain the idea of O’Gara as a head coach is another matter of course.

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The RFU have strongly indicated that an English coach is their preference for the next head coach, an admission that has made Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick a firm favourite to return to the set-up post Eddie Jones.

The union have backed Jones to lead England into the Rugby World Cup in France next year, but speculation remains regarding whether the Australian can make it that far after another disappointing Guinness Six Nations.

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England finished third in the end and only managed to pick up a pair of wins against Wales and Italy.

Having impressed as an assistant coach in New Zealand with the Crusaders, O’Gara is certainly going well in France.  He spent four seasons as defence coach at Racing 92 and has helped spearhead La Rochelle’s recent success since joining them in 2019.

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TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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