'I'm not surprised': The O'Driscoll verdict on O'Gara for England
Brian O’Driscoll has given his verdict on Ronan O’Gara ambitiously throwing his hat into the mix for the England head coach job. La Rochelle coach O’Gara was asked during an appearance on Rugby Tonight whether he would consider becoming the English boss and the Irishman’s reply was intriguing with the race now on for the RFU to identify a successor to Eddie Jones post the 2023 World Cup.
“Yeah, it would be a great job I think actually. Yeah, what a team. There’s so much potential there,” replied O’Gara to BT Sport presenter Craig Doyle on Sunday evening. “There is 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.”
O’Gara’s candid admission generated a flurry of headlines on either side of the Irish Sea as the assumption was that the former Munster and Ireland player would eventually return home to coach either club or country following a tracksuit apprenticeship that started out at Racing, continued at the Crusaders in New Zealand and has now taken another leap forward by the 45-year-old taking on the top job at La Rochelle.
O’Driscoll, who these days works as a pundit with BT Sport, was intrigued by what he heard last weekend. When asked on Tuesday by RugbyPass in a feature interview to be published later this week what he made of the O’Gara for England headlines, he suggested that the allegiances people have when they are players don’t apply in coaching when it comes to the most attractive jobs.
“The thing with allegiances as a player, they go as soon as you retire,” explained O’Driscoll about O’Gara, his fellow Irish Test centurion who is nearing the end of his ninth season as a coach following his 2013 retirement as a player.
“When you are a coach that goes out the window. I couldn’t have thought of anyone more of a Munster man than Denis Leamy, but yet there he is with the Leinster set-up and the Leinster environment. Work is work but also you want to work to be able to learn more and ultimately bring it back to your own province or the team that pulls on your heartstrings the most.
“It’s Munster or Ireland I would imagine with Rog, but the most attractive jobs are very attractive as a coach. It is not to do with who you have got the most ties with. That is gone. Those days are past when you cease to be a player. I’m not surprised Rog got asked the question, ‘Would he be interested in the English job?’ He said he would. Lots of great players to choose from, lots of ambition, so why wouldn’t you want to be involved in a ticket like that if you were a coach?”
O’Driscoll and O’Gara spent 14 years together as Ireland players, the midfielder enjoying a Test career that was two years longer as he started in 1999 and finished in 2014 – unlike O’Gara who made a 2000 debut and retired in 2013. He has watched his former teammate’s coaching career with great interest in recent years, but does he think O’Gara really has the attributes to genuinely be considered as the next England coach?
“He has got a very clear understanding on how he wants to play the game,” enthused O’Driscoll about the credentials O’Gara has for the England job. “He is a good strategist, he is very passionate about bringing his point of difference, a very personable guy, creates a good fun environment to be around and to be in, so he has got all of the traits that you would imagine you need for a coach.
“International coaching is slightly different. You need a wealth of knowledge and understanding as to how to do a top job. Maybe it’s a little bit early for him to be getting into international coaching but it feels inevitable that it will come down the line.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to comments