EXCLUSIVE Ronan O'Gara | Masterminding La Rochelle's Champions Cup success | Donnacha Ryan influence

Ronan O'Gara gave #OTBAM his first interview since La Rochelle's celebration of their maiden Heineken Champions Cup success.
The legendary former Ireland and Munster out-half reflects on what the title means to the people of La Rochelle, how they managed to beat Leinster at the breakdown and why they're determined to add a French crown in the coming weeks.
#OTBAM with @GilletteVideosUK | #EffortlessFlow
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[@GallagherShane]

The class of this man is clear! At 4:25 he gives a mention to the Leinster coaching team and what he knows they went through after the final whistle. Then, at 22:11 he mentions a "fair play" to those of us Leinster fans who were delighted for him (if I'm honest it took a few days for me to get to that point as I was gutted for Johnny and the lads!) Congrats ROG, to his players and to the lunatic fans of La Rochelle!

[@FR-je9bw]

Agreed, it's almost unheard of for any sportsman to ever pay tribute to the opposition. Amazing stuff.

[@iamnutty8471]

@@FR-je9bw google 1000 examples sees 1000 examples NZ maradona jersey for argentina game!

[@johnjames1335]

Thanks Ross!

[@shakes.dontknowwhatyergettin]

@@iamnutty8471 he was being sarcastic

[@alanhughes3070]

I’m only able to watch any post game stuff today 😢 I could listen to ROG all day, he is a very interesting and interesting guy! Congrats to his success (that was hard 😁)

[@vinvincible8]

ROG has taken a great road to learn his coaching craft, has to be respected

[@seamus9750]

The Rugby world's eyes will be on him here on...always been a fan of him.

[@markdrea7563]

Listening to him as an analyst on tv3 over the years proper analyst knows the game of rugby a football brain very much rugby football on his mind. Wish him well and I think he will go places and a future British and Irish lions coach

[@TheMikethoth]

I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of ROG back in the day, but I think I didn't appreciate his rugby brain. He's clearly doing very well as coach and what I like about him is his winning mentality. He doesn't like losing and he has his players playing for him, eachother and thier club. It's what club rugby should be about. Congratulations La Rochelle and it's wonderful coach ROG.

[@carlberg2551]

Merci Ô, Ronan !

[@gerardodwyer3919]

A wonderful player and coach with an amazing career in rugby so far. A fantastic achievement to win the final in his first year in charge. So proud of him and can't wait to see what he's going to do next. Well done ROG💚👍

[@rossmorebaz]

its his second year in charge .. he lost the final in 2021

[@davidcunningham947]

@@rossmorebaz you're saying that like it's an achievement to be ashamed of 🤣🤣

[@rossmorebaz]

future ireland coach , future lions coach ... the world is his Oyster..

[@homolgus1]

England are also very keen

[@fabricevaudron2425]

Merci Mr O'gara !!

[@s99bf0c8]

ROG is taking up the role previously held by Conor o shea. A favourite among the Irish media who can't wait to get him in as Irish coach. Having said that, he is building a great CV and you must respect his achievement in winning Europe.

[@bikesnippets]

He nailed it in the first few minutes. A good game plan in the hands of world class operators like Antonio, Bougarit, Priso, Skelton, Hadad, Aldritt, and Danty. At least 4 of them are better than anything Leinster had. ROG showing the humility that pro-Leinster pundits didn't before the match.

[@johnmc3862]

Leinster were rightly favourites before the match in fairness.

[@patrickmcloughlin2350]

Delighted for Rog, well done mate

[@marshnn]

Well done Ronan

[@seanc6042]

Is there a more humble, articulate and brilliant manager out there than ROG. Am also convinced Leinster will come back fine from this next year.

[@Desi365]

All these plane hours just to get chewed up by saffers might take a toll. We'll see.

[@marshnn]

In a word no

[@nevdrogbra10]

People i have have rog in this playing career he has changes the mindsets because now he has a change at maybe done a european cup and maybe top 14 france titles if he they won a against lyon on the weekends maybe but rog the coach is just the man tell the true like he donest back like if u look maybe at the bigger picture rog maybe next over a another team but i love too see won more with stade la rochelle and see were the coacjmhinh jounrey take if the man staying in france he wanted too win more with stade la rochelle like and maybe won something else that up rog and maybe one day in the near future with the right job come up in ireland he will maybe take it ya alright like

[@antoinedescours2459]

Good game guys, and sorry we keep this ronan guy here

[@marshnn]

Any chance we could have him back .Munster are not doing so well

[@frederikhaeck7589]

The best coach .. 💛🖤

[@marcdaniels9079]

@@marshnn Oooooops … they are looking ok now 😅

[@bartconnolly6104]

RoG sees the " big picture" for a medium town, versus the dressing room player's view, but in truth he also is a family man and dedicated to wife and children and their welfare above his ego. He is also not perfect and knows he can improve and learn from defeat and think from the perspective of the opposition. I wonder if he ever read Sun Tsu's art of war?

[@FR-je9bw]

No, he prefers the Racing Post.

[@Tellemore]

@@FR-je9bw Grow up.

[@AB-lq1zd]

Likely true in fairness.

[@justsceptic3085]

no, now he read le midi olympique...

[@gerrycallaghan5519]

Been a long week for Ger.

[@JoshM94011]

He's looking fresh

[@marccouasnon6973]

Well Ronan, we need a brennus now, just to mark French Rugby!

[@justsceptic3085]

les toulousains sont pas d'accord...

[@marccouasnon6973]

@@justsceptic3085 Alors, on se passera de leurs avis !😁😂🤣💛🖤

[@davidstewart1910]

Good old Ger, and his windy, rambling 'questions' - bring back Joe !

[@davidstewart1910]

Too many adverts

[@22grena]

Who is the Mona Lisa?

[@bartconnolly6104]

Do you refer to the Bene Gesserit witch?

[@philbotherobot]

8:42 she gets a little tingle

[@carlowman6669]

1 cup and he's the messiah?? Mark mcCall must have invented the game based on that yardstick

[@marccouasnon6973]

Stop the media from commenting when they have nothing to put in their mouths! The problem is not ROG, but them ...who tell and look for anything and everything to explain!

[@muppa8818]

2 cup now 😅

[@jasonmather3382]

I clearly remember him discrediting and bemoaning the Springboks victory of England then goes and copies and pastes Rassie’s methods ie a bomb squad on the bench lol

[@wannabeactuary01]

It is only a journey - not winning the Top 14 though!

[@marccouasnon6973]

Right, but already for us this European cup is certainly better than the Brennus, at first! To win the Brennus in France and especially to play on both levels, Europe and top 14, you need either to skip Europe or to have a great team, or even two top level teams, which we will have next year! However, we will need another third row and a centre to complete our recruitment. But before leaving ROG will make it a point of honour to bring this French title home! He knows what it means in France...

[@carlowman6669]

Is this one for real?? Does she ask stupid questions on purpose? Does she not even look at them before hand and think to herself this is ridiculous??

[@johnmc3862]

Ger isn't much better in fairness. Joe is the cringemaster.

[@davidstewart1910]

Wow, she is brutal !

[@one_eyed_odin]

As much as I respect ROG but sweet Jesus the hype is too much from the media and pundits. I hope he has more success in his future but a part of me thinks he's playing up the "tactical mastermind" a bit much

[@JohnMcAvinue]

A bit harsh there. He's not bigging himself up at all. The media is doing that and not much he can do about it

[@one_eyed_odin]

ah don't get me wrong I'm delighted for him, but I've seen the I interviews and it does seem like he's playing it up a bit, I'd just be cautious is all, especially as an Irish rugby fan I just don't want to put all my eggs in the rog basket right now.

[@carg9927]

Hear what you're saying Oddball, but John is bang on here, he can't control the media hype, and he even said himself there was nothing between the two teams.. Very humble of him to say. And if there was any 'tactical mastermind' that day, it was him to be fair!

[@daveo289]

He masterminded the tactics that won the Champions Cup against overwhelming favourites.

[@Moloneykiid]

Can see why you’ve got odd ball in your name. Terrible take.