Ronan O'Gara makes major decision on coaching future

The Irish coach has been in charge at Stade Marcel-Deflandre since 2019, with his new deal ending recent speculation over his future.

O'Gara, 49, is preparing to enter his eighth season with La Rochelle and sixth as head coach, having been due to enter the final year of his existing contract.

However, a run of inconsistent results in recent seasons had raised questions over whether O'Gara would remain in France beyond the expiry of his current deal.

O'Gara moved into coaching after retiring from playing, beginning his career with Racing 92 in 2013 as the French club's defence coach. He then joined the Crusaders as assistant defence coach in 2018.

The New Zealand side went on to win two Super Rugby titles during O'Gara's time on their coaching staff before he returned to France in 2019 to take his first head coaching position with La Rochelle.

Since taking charge, O'Gara has guided the club to three European Cup finals. La Rochelle claimed their first major trophy by beating Leinster in the 2022 final before defeating the Irish province again in Dublin a year later.

Last season proved considerably more difficult, with La Rochelle finishing sixth in the Top 14. They also endured disappointment in Europe, exiting the Champions Cup at the pool stage after finishing fifth in their group before being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Ulster in the quarter-finals.

Despite those recent struggles, O'Gara remains convinced that La Rochelle can enjoy further success and believes the club's ambition convinced him to commit his future to the side.

"My family and I are very happy and very proud to continue this journey with Stade Rochelais. We have experienced some exceptional moments together and also gone through more difficult periods.

"Throughout each of them, I have felt the club’s trust and the support of our supporters, who are renowned for their deep knowledge and understanding of the game.

"I truly believe in this club, its players, its staff and its ambition. We have already built a lot together, but I am convinced that the best is still ahead of us. I want to continue to help this team grow and to win with Stade Rochelais."