Ronan O Gara looks set to sign a new 4 year deal with La Rochelle to continue as there head coach until 2031. He has won two European Cups but has yet to deliver the Top 14 title and if he does sign this extension, he will hope to get over the line and secure the Top 14 title in the next few years.
His new deal would end at the same time as Andy Farrell’s latest contract with the IRFU. Time will tell whether both men will be in those respective jobs depending on results over the next year or so. For ROG, he has been linked with a return to Ireland regularly over the past 13 years since his coaching journey began with Racing 92.
Leinster will be in the market for a new head coach from the summer of 2027 with Leo Cullen stepping down after 11 years with Leinster.
ROG has been quick to put it out there in his regular weekly paper column that no decisions had been made about his future even though his name was linked to Leinster as soon as Leo Cullen intimated his intention to step away.
The question of ROG to Leinster seemed to stir up several people who very quickly stated on record that he would not be a good fit for the job given his playing days were spent with Munster. That is amazing, straight away his playing days were the restriction to him possibly being involved in the conversation for one of club rugby’s big jobs.
By the look of it, La Rochelle look set to announce ROG’s 4 year extension in the coming days. Felipe Contepomi is another name linked to the Leinster job after his time with them as both a player and coach. He is currently coaching Argentina in a miniseries with Australia in place of this year’s Rugby Championship.
Leinster have begun there recruitment process for their next head coach and have said through Shane Nolan, chief executive that they will take their time in announcing the next person to take Leinster forward from next season and beyond.
With Ronan O Gara seemingly about to be ruled out of the reckoning with his supposed La Rochelle extension in the offing, it will be an interesting period as the new campaign approaches as to who Leinster have in their sights for the big job…