Ronan O’Gara admits to Jack Crowley ‘irony’ as Munster star puts La Rochelle in ‘freefall’
Munster fly-half Jack Crowley and La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara.
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara conceded that it was “pretty ironic” how Munster won their Investec Champions Cup clash at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
The Irish province stunned the French giants, who won the title in 2022 and 2023, with a 25-24 success on Saturday.
It moved them into the last-eight of the competition where they will face either Bordeaux-Begles or Ulster.
Reminiscent of O’Gara
Jack Crowley’s drop-goal, which was rather reminiscent of what Munster legend O’Gara did over the years, ultimately proved to be the difference.
The Ireland fly-half was also named the official player of the match as the La Rochelle head coach admitted that the irony was not lost on him.
“I’m obviously gutted but I think you’ve got to compliment and congratulate Munster on how they constructed their victory,” he told reporters.
“It was pretty ironic how they won it, getting it out to eight points with a peach of a drop-goal. I’ve seen a lot of good drop-goals but that’s a top-class one.
“For a second I thought Jack Crowley was with me then you’re like, ‘that’s the wrong team’.”
👉 La Rochelle v Munster: Five takeaways as Irish province pip hosts in ‘Ronan O’Gara derby’
Despite taking La Rochelle to successive Champions Cup titles, O’Gara now finds himself under pressure following their dreadful run of form.
They have not won a game in any competition since January 4 – a 22-19 triumph over a second-string Toulouse – and are starting to look over their shoulder in the Top 14.
La Rochelle currently reside in 10th position domestically and are just 10 points ahead of bottom placed Vannes, who sit on 30 points.
“We’re in freefall, so for Top 14, it’s the same standard if not better with the teams coming. The opposition isn’t going to get any weaker,” he said.
“We’re missing a key ingredient which is confidence and belief but we have to find that quickly.
“I was hoping [the Munster game] would turn our season but we have to go back to the drawing board and see what can be resurrected.”
Incredible atmosphere
While there was obvious disappointment for O’Gara, the match between these two sides lit up an otherwise disappointing Champions Cup round of 16.
It was easily the best of the contests on Friday and Saturday with the two sets of supporters adding extra colour to a dramatic encounter in France.
“When I [came] here I tried to bring so much of what’s good about Munster to La Rochelle,” the Ireland great added. “I knew that the two supporters would get on like a house on fire, that they’d have a great day.
“I always knew there was a huge performance in Munster today. They love coming to France and they’ve been doing it for 25 years.”
👀 READ MORE: La Rochelle v Munster: Winners and losers as ‘the heat is on’ Ronan O’Gara while visitors’ Ireland stars lead the way
