‘Courageous’ Ronan O’Gara could coach Ireland without coming home first

O’Gara has made no secret of his desire to coach the team he represented in 128 Tests from 2000 to 2013

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara with Ihaia West before the Champions Cup final. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Ronan O’Gara’s prospects of becoming Ireland’s head coach would not be impeded if he was working away from home when the vacancy arose, IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has said.

The man who upholds the governing body’s unwritten rule barring the men’s national team head coach from selecting players based overseas said yesterday he would have no such misgivings when it came to appointing Andy Farrell’s successor or any future Ireland boss.