O’Gara’s brief at Racing growing

Ronan O’Gara’s role at Racing Metro has increased substantially from the kicking coach position which was announced in May when he made the shock decision to move to Paris.

O’Gara said that it was always intended to be a more substantial role but inevitably the kicking coach aspect was highlighted, given that Jonathan Sexton would be under his tutelage.

O’Gara is now regarded as the third coach with the big-spending Parisians and it was notable in the official match sheets for their games against Brive and Toulon that he was listed in between Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers as the Racing Metro coaching team.

“At the start, it was all because of such a sensational bit of news I suppose, but it was never just as a kicking coach. That would be one of the briefs that I can be interested in and that I help out in,” he said.

“Essentially I want to be a head coach someday, but you have to make building blocks to do that.”

He is involved in developing team back play and is hands-on in training and revealed that while Racing Metro are among the biggest spenders on players, they are not top heavy in the coaching department.

“There are only three coaches for 40 players. We don’t have a defence coach, we don’t have an attack coach. The two lads do everything and I would essentially be the number three coach.

“I worked with a lot of coaches too, so you bring bits and the great thing about these two is they are willing to listen.”

He is enjoying the coaching role and has no regrets about the decision to bring the curtain down on his playing career.

“No, the timing was perfect. I just had the most wonderful time with Munster but you have to be realistic and at 36, I think, I felt that one of my best games was against Clermont and it is easy to go when they want you. And I still have the best of friends there and the best of memories from Munster so I want it to remain like that for the rest of my life,” said O’Gara.

Racing face Oyonnax on Saturday in their first home in Paris and are under pressure for a result after being hammered 41-14 by Toulon, having been far from impressive in their opening day win over Brive.

But no team in the Top 14 has managed to win both opening games, with Toulon topping what is expected to be the closest championship in years, thanks to a win and a draw.

O’Gara said it is inevitable that with a new coaching team and a host of new players, that it may take Racing Metro time to hit top form but he has adapted from being a player.

“As a player you just show up, but it is different now because you are employed here and obviously it hasn’t the emotional attachment of Munster or anything like that. But, as a professional, you do it to the best of your ability and you care about the club. It’s been different.”

Meanwhile Gloucester Director of Rugby Nigel Davies is already bracing his players for their trip to Limerick.

“Thomond Park is an unforgiving place to come to and if you don’t execute properly there, you will come second best,” said Davies.

Davies was speaking after his side had gone down to a 28-17 defeat to Munster in the Seat Series friendly game at the weekend. While stressing the fixture was irrelevant as far as the Heineken Cup clash at the Limerick venue on October 17 was concerned, he noted the visit could be a help to some of his younger players when the bigger day comes around.

“This is a brilliant place to come to and a great place to play rugby,” said Davies.

“It truly is one of the great club stadiums in Europe. There are quite a few of today’s players who will also feature in the European games and I think it was great to come here and get a taste of the place. Coming to a place like this, getting an understanding of how to build pressure, how to build a game, not give away points immediately after we have scored — you can’t afford to do that. It all helps.”