Ronan O’Gara: We aren’t a band of brothers yet, but we’re getting there

We have become a tight knit group and that’s the biggest compliment I can give the players, and the thing I am most proud of. I can’t say we are a team of brothers yet, but that’s the ultimate goal

GOLDEN MOMENT: La Rochelle’s New Zealand fly-half Ihaia West celebrates after scoring a try against Lyon at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium. La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara feels 80 minutes on Sunday won’t define their journey but all the indicators point to a good performance against Leinster. Picture: Xavier Leoty/AFP via Getty Images

The pre-match statistics suggest that Sunday will be my 12th European Cup semi-final. Ten were as a player with Munster.

La Rochelle have no European heritage to speak of so the comparison to Munster is largely irrelevant. But the team I played with provides an important reference point when creating a genuine team bond is the goal.