Dillyn Leyds: Ronan O'Gara is the kind of guy who always wants to win

Leyds credits the calibre of player and person that has been recruited as a driving force behind La Rochelle's push for success on the home and the continental fronts in recent seasons

CLOSE-KNIT: La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara with Dillyn Leyds and Antoine Hastoy. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Dillyn Leyds had popped on and then off Ronan O’Gara’s radar a couple of times when he was playing Super Rugby with the Stormers and the Irishman was coaching at the Crusaders.

Their first proper interaction, though? Kind of awkward, but only because it was over Zoom. Jono Gibbes, La Rochelle’s director of rugby, was on the same call and, well, we all know how artificial those calls can be.