La Rochelle's might was undone by Munster grit but the external influences of coaches like Ronan O'Gara and Shaun Edwards should be retained
A star of the 2013 series, the respected former lock is plotting the tourists' demise as Australia's lineout guru.
However, this deal is more in line with a talented and valued player getting a ‘sabbatical’, as opposed to an outright loss of talent for Rugby Australia.
The rarity of these tours means this crop of Australia players, this crop of Wallabies, must work harder than they’ve ever worked before to ensure Wallaby coach, Joe Schmidt, has no other choice but to pick them.
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has responded to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald suggesting he’s thrown his hat into the ring for the Wallabies’ top job.
La Rochelle have gone for an aggressive 7-1 split on the bench for their Champions Cup showdown with Leinster, though they will be without their towering Wallaby lock Will Skelton.
Concentrating talent across a quartet of franchises could bolster Australian rugby from the ground up.
Should Joe Schmidt step aside after the Lions tour, is there a home-grown coach ready to take on the full weight of responsibility?