Ronan O’Gara throws hat into the ring for 2025 British and Irish Lions coaching role

Ronan O’Gara admits that a position with the British and Irish Lions for the 2025 tour would be “very exciting”.

The former Ireland fly-half is regarded as one of the best up-and-coming coaches around having previously impressed at the Crusaders and Racing 92 before he joined La Rochelle.

Since taking charge in 2019, O’Gara has led the French outfit to successive Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, beating the mighty Leinster on both occasions.

Lengthy contract

His contract runs until 2027, but the 46-year-old is expected to take a coaching position at international level, whether before or after that deal ends.

It could well come in 2025 when the Lions tour to Australia comes around. Current Ireland boss Andy Farrell is the favourite to be named head coach, but the Englishman may be tempted to bring O’Gara on board as an assistant.

“That would be very exciting because it’s the ultimate in terms of the highest level, and they’re the kind of people you want to work with,” he told the Off The Ball podcast.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of other people eyeing that role, and maybe Andy has got his own coaching ticket.

“He certainly looks to be in pole position for that role, considering all the good things he’s done with Ireland.

“It would be very exciting getting an opening there, that’s for sure.”

Working as an assistant would be O’Gara’s preference, given the former fly-half’s contractual commitment to La Rochelle.

“It depends on the role you’re offered,” he explained.

“If you’re the head coach, you have to take a year’s sabbatical, so that obviously wouldn’t work because of my commitment to La Rochelle.

“But if there was a potential opening, I’m sure the bosses here, depending on my willingness to show interest in it, would be very open to trying to see me in my best version.

“My best version might be coaching with Andy Farrell with the Lions. That would be extremely exciting. I don’t think reasonable people would put a stop to that.”

Moving up the ranks

O’Gara compared his coaching journey to his time as a player, with his ambitions growing bigger and bigger as he becomes more established in the game.

“It’s a bit like starting as an international player. You want to play for your country once, then you want to play five times, then you want to see if you can get to 50, and then 100,” he added.

“It’s the same (in coaching). With something like that, from afar, it sounds to some people daunting but for me it’s extremely exciting. It’s something you want to be part of because you want to be on the best teams.

“You want to try and get in there and make a difference. Of course, you would be thinking about it, but these are things you don’t control.”

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