‘I'm angry' – Ronan O'Gara slates ‘main culprit' of La Rochelle's ‘wasted season' after play-off blow
RONAN O'Gara was unsparing in his criticism after La Rochelle missed out on a place in the Top 14 play-offs - particularly towards himself.
His side were leapfrogged for the last play-off place by Castres after they fell to a 32-18 away defeat to Pau.
Advertisement
2
They had been in sixth place before the final round of regular season fixtures
Credit: AFP
2
The loss to eight-placed Pau ensured they dropped down to seventh
Credit: AFP
It was an especially bitter pill to swallow since they had seemed to be out the other side of a dismal four-month win-less stretch from January-April.
Being overtaken by a solitary point in the standings would have rubbed further salt in the wound.
Reflecting on the club missing out on the French post-season for the first time since 2018, the Munster icon made no attempt to hide what a body blow it came as.
He admitted: "It's the end of a cycle. We need new ideas, new players, new tactics, a complete overhaul, and much more consistency…
Advertisement
Read More On Irish Sport
"How can we play like that in such an important match?
"There were some similarities with the team that had just won five in a row, but we were a bit like the team we saw in February, March, and April.
"When we had our backs against the wall, we won five games to give ourselves the chance to play a 'round-of-16 match' tonight.
"I feel like we just thought we'd turn up and do the job, but sport isn't like that. Pau deserved to win…
Advertisement
Most read in Rugby Union
'The coach was especially missing. We talk about discipline all week, but when the coach is suspended, he can't have any impact.
"The main culprit is me. I'm frustrated, angry, disappointed. And I'm sad for the fans after all the bad games they have had.
'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants'
"I'm sad for Brice (Dulin), I'm very sad for Tawera (Kerr-Barlow). He deserves much more than this.'
The suspension he alluded to was dished out
Advertisement
The 48-year-old was last month slapped with it by French authorities for 'actions against a match official" during a January loss to Toulon.
The severity of the ban seemingly led to a protest from O'Gara prior to his side's 30-29 victory over Vannes on May 10.
While the veteran pair in retiring Brice Dulin and Stade Francais-bound Tawera Kerr-Barlow he mentioned are departing, there is some grounds for optimism based off their incoming player additions.
Advertisement
France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, 23, jumps out among four arrivals for the 2025/2026 season.
The others are Semi Lagivala, 22, Davit Niniashvili, 22, and Ugo Pacome, 20, are the others as it's clear the well-financed outfit are embarking on a youth movement.
O'Gara is contracted with the south-western club until 2027 and has repeatedly said he intends to honour that contract rather than move on to pastures new.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Terence Crawford says there is ‘nothing' Canelo Alvarez can do to beat him… even in a STREET fight
TERENCE CRAWFORD warned Canelo Alvarez there is nothing he can do to beat him - even in a STREET fight. The unbeaten American jumps two divisions to challenge for Canelo's undisputed super-middleweight world title Advertisement 4 Terence Crawford says he would beat Canelo Alvarez even in a street fight Credit: AFP 4 Canelo faces Crawford on September 13 in Las Vegas Credit: Reuters So the Mexican great was probed on the damage a loss to two-time undisputed champ Crawford would have on his iconic record. But cool as ice Canelo, 34, replied: "He's not gonna beat me. Don't worry about it, he's not going to beat me. "I think this fight is going to be in the history books of boxing, for sure." Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing Crawford, 37, snapped back: "For sure them belts are coming with me, they're coming home with me. "I'm taking them, and there ain't nothing you can do about it come fight night. I promise you. You see I'm different than all the others ones." Canelo - who has won titles all the way from 154lb to 175lb - countered: "You don't look different. Nothing different." Crawford has not returned since last August when he beat Israil Madrimov, 30, for WBA light-middleweight title. Advertisement Most read in Boxing Exclusive Exclusive 4 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Meanwhile, Canelo regained his undisputed 168lb throne with victory over William Scull, 32, in May in Riyadh. He now headlines on Netflix at the Las Vegas Raiders' £1BILLION Advertisement Terence Crawford opens up on dinner with Canelo Alvarez ahead of 'biggest fight in 20 YEARS' He said: "Come on, man. You know what I do. "I don't have to talk about it, on the streets me against anybody, I ain't ever gonna say another man can whoop me. That's your answer there." But Canelo hit back: "We're not talking about the streets we're talking about boxing, the beautiful sport of boxing." 4 Canelo faces off with Crawford Credit: AFP Advertisement
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
First-half dominance paves way for Galway United win over St Pat's
First-half goals from Edward McCarthy, David Hurley and Robert Slevin powered Galway United to a 3-1 victory over St Patrick's Athletic 3-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park. On an immaculate Terryland surface on a sunswept evening in Galway, it was John Caulfield's team who started the encounter on the front foot. With just two minutes played, United goalkeeper Evan Watts cannoned a goal kick in behind the St Pat's defence, which Edward McCarthy benefitted from, before his swivelled effort found the bottom corner to put the home side in front. One goal soon turned into two when David Hurley, making his 160th appearance for the club, demonstrated his technical ability to find the opposition's net from his own half. In the 11th minute, Hurley took full advantage of Joseph Anang's poor clearance, and his well-placed attempt before the halfway line dropped into the empty goal to send the United faithful into euphoria. The St Pat's defence looked shaky throughout the opening 45 minutes, as further chances fell to McCarthy and the lively Moses Dyer, while at the other end of the pitch, Stephen Kenny's side struggled to create many clear-cut chances. That was until youngster Mason Melia brought life into their attacking play as the first half progressed. Melia first tested Watts with a close-range strike, before the Tottenham Hotspur-bound talent began another advance on the United backline, which led to a Saints lifeline in the 34th minute. Simon Power was the man who eventually got on the end of an Axel Sjoberg through ball, and the winger's fine finish into the top corner halved the deficit. St Pat's optimism was soon dashed, as within a minute, the Tribesmen claimed their two-goal cushion back as the cracker on Corribside continued. Robert Slevin beat Anang to a Hurley corner kick, and the centre-back's header made it 3-1 with 10 minutes to play before the break. In the second half, St Pat's brought more quality in possession, as opportunities landed to Aidan Keena and Jamie Lennon, but the United defence held firm. A crucial call came in the 71st minute. A long-range Power shot was well saved by Watts, with Melia being quickest to react to the rebound, and an outstretched Greg Cunningham leg seemed to take Melia down. To the dismay of the Saints' bench, the referee adjudged the tackle not to be enough to award a penalty kick. The Saints continued to push for a reply, but it wasn't to be for the Inchicore outfit, as Watts produced some top saves before the final whistle to retain his side's lead, as the Tribesmen picked up three valuable points. Galway United: Watts; Byrne, Slevin, Cunningham (Burns 82), Dyer (Shaw 70); Hurley (McCormack 90), Hickey, Borden (Walsh 90), McCarthy (Brouder 90), Buckley; Esua. St Patrick's Athletic: Anang; Redmond, Grivosti (Hoare 45), Lennon, Elbouzedi; Melia, McClelland (Kazeem 87), Keena (Forrester 70), Baggley (Carty 82), Sjoberg (Kavanagh 70); Power. Rob Harvey.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Mark English goes sub 1:44 again at Paris Diamond League
Mark English recorded the second fastest time of his career on his way to a sixth-place finish in the men's 800m at the Diamond League Meet in Paris. The French capital hosted its first major athletics event since last year's Olympic Games and English clocked his second sub 1:44 of the month. The Finn Valley athlete, who became the first Irishman to break 1:44 in the 800m earlier this month, posted a time of 1:43.98 in a race won by Spain's Mohamed Attaoui in 1:42.73. English has enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, lowering his Irish record twice in less than a fortnight. It follows on from a European 800m bronze in March.
