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Ronan O’Gara

South Africa Training Session - Rugby World Cup France 2023

S Ronan O'Gara: Dinner with Dougie, but Springboks will gobble up the main course

My sense that South Africa will retain their title didn’t sour the ambience.

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

Caelen Doris dejected 14/10/2023

S Ronan O'Gara: Six Nations, Grand Slams ... they're nice, but no longer enough

When we talk about this being the greatest Irish team ever, then they have to be getting to a World Cup semi-final at least?

Fri, 20 Oct, 2023

Beauden Barrett 12/10/2023

Ronan O'Gara's verdict: For New Zealand, the waves will crash a lot higher and faster now

When Ireland faced the All Blacks in my time, we convinced ourselves that they had the same number of legs and arms as we had, that they were mortal and beatable.

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

Andy Farrell and Jonathan Sexton 5/10/2023

S Ronan O'Gara: The only two World Cup certainties left - pressure and injuries

Death and taxes they say. But as the Rugby World Cup moves towards its knockout phase, there are other certainties for every nation still standing

Sat, 07 Oct, 2023

Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki 20/9/2023

S Ronan O'Gara on Ireland v the Boks: If only games were played on paper or in the gym

What may be under-appreciated is Jack Crowley's inner steel. He has accepted his challenges, his failings, his learnings. If Ireland are to win this World Cup, he is going to have a big role.

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Jonathan Sexton celebrates as he scores a try 16/9/2023

S Ronan O'Gara: There's too much in Johnny's immediate future to pause and enjoy points record

We haven’t been in touch much because it's professional sport and we are rivals. We’ve crossed swords in each of the last three campaigns, and we both want to win

Sun, 17 Sep, 2023

Ireland Rugby Media Conference

S Ronan O'Gara: Come Sunday, Ireland move into World Cup knockout mode

As good as Ireland's phase game is, no-one will want to play France in the World Cup quarter-finals - and that means seeing off Tonga and South Africa on successive, and sore, weekends.

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Jonathan Sexton 7/9/2023

S Ronan O'Gara: Injuries and cards will decide the destination of the Webb Ellis trophy

Ireland and Andy Farrell have gone all in on Johnny Sexton. Past form does not count - you need current form very quickly at the World Cup. Being out of the competitive sphere for such a long time, all his automatics are gone

Fri, 08 Sep, 2023

New Zealand v South Africa - 2023 Summer International

S Ronan O'Gara: I would much prefer to play New Zealand in the quarter-final than France

If France go down, and that’s unlikely, they will die on the turf. They’d rather go home on their shields if they can’t carry them.

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP 14-BORDEAUX-LAROCHELLE

S Ronan O'Gara: We don't want to leave any chinks for the begrudgers

La Rochelle can complete a remarkable Champions Cup-Top 14 double on Saturday. Standing in their way is a Toulouse side sprinkled with stars. But our columnist wouldn't swap his Maritimes for anyone

Fri, 16 Jun, 2023