Columns - Irish Examiner

Ronan O’Gara

An Irish rugby legend and record‑setting out‑half turned elite coach with La Rochelle. A prominent pundit known for frank, compelling, agenda-setting analysis.

Racing 92 v Munster Rugby - European Rugby Champions Cup Semi-Final

Zebo absence spooked Murray more than Racing did

In my early weeks in Christchurch I picked up some helpful pointers from the Crusaders’ head coach Scott Robertson, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Fri, 27 Apr, 2018

I got three minutes in a room with Jacky. I was honoured to get that

No I haven’t walked the 200 feet of tunnel that reputedly leads from renowned London wine merchants Berry Brothers and Rudd to Buckingham Palace, but I am assured such a route exists, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Sat, 21 Apr, 2018

Munster is the one I love, the club that gave me everything. But that guarantees nothing...

I want Munster to win. That’s where I am from. Home is always home. Where the heart is. But there’s a deep feeling there for guys who will be playing in blue and white as well, writes Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 20 Apr, 2018

Show me your defence and I’ll tell you what’s possible

It will take just over an hour by air for the Racing 92 players to fly to Toulouse for Sunday’s important Top 14 game at the Stade Ernest Wallon, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Fri, 13 Apr, 2018

If Racing stop Munster up front, they’ll have final word

Thomond Park and its 26,000-plus fanatics made quite the din last Saturday. 

Fri, 06 Apr, 2018

14 hours on a flight and cup quarters are still up in the air

It is fascinating from a collisions point of view watching Ma’a Nonu, pictured, and Mathieu Bastareaud. How will Munster check them, asks Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 30 Mar, 2018

Many believe there’s loads more to come from Ireland. I wouldn’t be too sure

After the 2015 World Cup, the Racing 92 coaching ticket was invited to meet the ex-England head coach Stuart Lancaster in Paris, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Fri, 23 Mar, 2018

The country expects Ireland to deliver a Grand Slam at Twickenham. So should the players

Ronan O’Gara says this Ireland team should want to complete the Grand Slam, then go to Australia in the summer and win a Test series down there.

Fri, 16 Mar, 2018

Don’t shush Grand Slam talk, embrace it

Let’s hope that the Grand Slam hasn’t been treated as some sort of interloper around the team room in Carton House this week. Keith Earls was on the money when he said that the next two games were the biggest of his Irish career.

Fri, 09 Mar, 2018

You mightn’t appreciate Irish strength in depth ‘til the World Cup

MIKE Prendergast would have had some head on him this week. That sort of bould Limerick ‘I told you so’ head.

Sat, 03 Mar, 2018