Donnacha Ryan's high rugby IQ can take La Rochelle forward, says Mike Prendergast

Ryan brought the curtain down on his marathon playing career at the end of last season and this Sunday embarks on his coaching pathway

Donnacha Ryan with Mike Prendergast and Simon Zebo after Racing’s 2019 Heineken Champions Cup game with Saracens. Prendergast believes Ryan will thrive in his new role as forwards coach at La Rochelle. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Former Munster and Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan has been tipped to forage an excellent coaching career in France by the most experienced Irish coach there.

Mike Prendergast is heading into his ninth successive season coaching in France and having worked with Ryan for the past two years at Racing 92, he has no doubt that the Tipperary native is set to become a top coach.