Furious Ronan O'Gara asks supporters to 'forgive' his La Rochelle side after crushing loss to Bayonne

“If you accept a performance like that … you open the door to finding excuses for everything,” O’Gara fumed.

FURIOUS: La Rochelle Head Coach Ronan O'Gara was furious after his side's loss to Bayonne. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

A furious Ronan O’Gara pleaded for fans’ forgiveness after La Rochelle crashed back to Top 14 reality in northern Spain, losing 37-7 to Bayonne following three wins on the bounce.

“My first thought goes to the La Rochelle supporters,” he said. “They were there, 80 minutes before the match, 3,000 strong. How can loyal fans expect something like that?