O’Gara reveals ‘Test jobs I’d bite people’s hands off for’ – but dismisses Wales move

Ronan O’Gara has revealed he would love to try his hand at international coaching should the right opportunity present itself.

The Irishman, who represented his country 128 times and played for the British & Irish Lions, is currently at the helm at French Top 14 side La Rochelle and is under contract until 2027 but has ambitions beyond the club game.

“There are Test jobs I’d bite people’s hands off for,” said O’Gara. “That usually works itself out if you’re good enough at your club. You’ve got to have those ambitions, I think, because you want to be the best you can be.”

It was then put to O’Gara if he would be interested in taking over from Warren Gatland. The under-fire Wales head coach who has overseen the worst Test run in the country’s history, losing 12 successive games in an ill-fated second spell in charge.

“I haven’t thought about that, to be honest with you,” he replied. “Without lacking humility, I’d prefer Ireland, England or France.”

O’Gara has forged himself a big reputation since delving into coaching. He worked under now All Blacks head coach Scott “Razor” Robertson at the Crusaders before landing the top job at La Rochelle.

Robertson and O’Gara were even under consideration by the RFU when Eddie Jones was sacked as the England head coach before Steve Borthwick took over.

O’Gara led La Rochelle to successive Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023 and has become known for the high standards he demands.

“In France I’m seen as very demanding and difficult because of the standards I try and keep but I just want players to try and experience what I did,” O’Gara continued. “I got so much out of the game. It gave me wonderful emotions and now I want to really try and give back.

“I care a lot as a coach. I cared a lot as a player. It’s probably my greatest attribute. I spent two good seasons with Razor and was transformed by him. I see the good in people now and the possibilities.”

While La Rochelle have established themselves as a force of European rugby, domestic glory hasn’t been as easy to come by.

They lost to Toulouse in the 2021 and 2023 finals under O’Gara, who is seeking more consistency from his players.

He said: “It’s a grind. It’s an absolute dog fight because every game is difficult in the Top 14. People who are maybe not associated with it don’t realise it’s a scrap.

“You have 26 league games in France before you play the finals. It’s a different recipe. It would be easy and weak to go: ‘Rog has got the masterplan for Europe but he struggles in the Top 14’. For me, that’s bullshit.”

“We’ve never won a Bouclier so the attraction, determination and the carrot is huge.

!There are some really good people and really good players in this club. You try and inspire them. But at the minute, we’re terribly inconsistent.

“We need to get our game going for 60 minutes, never mind 80. If we’re good for 60, we’ll win a lot of games. If we’re good for 70, we’ll be really good.”

La Rochelle are currently sixth in the Top 14 table with six wins from 11 games, while they beat Bath 24-20 on the road to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign.