"Ronan made one of his famous 'Franglais' speeches" — Dulin reveals O'Gara's halftime riot act

La Rochelle players open up on how coach's messages helped spark heroic turnaround and great escape in South Africa as champions survive Stormers scare

Sat, 06 Apr, 2024 - 21:57

Staff

Ronan O'Gara and La Rochelle have been through more than enough tight contests on their way to becoming back-to-back champions of Europe. However Saturday afternoon's oh-so-close scrape with the Stormers in South Africa was uncomfortable even for this most seasoned tight-game team.

Only a missed conversion as time expired from Springboks fly half Manie Libbok rescued La Rochelle's fate in this season's Champions Cup as they clung on for a 22-21 victory in Cape Town. Having trailed 13-0 at halftime and 16-0 soon after the break, the French side had to fight their way back into a particularly bruising last 16 clash and ultimately book a potential quarter-final renewal with Leinster at Lansdowne Road.