Ronan O'Gara: Time for a hug? Tough love doesn’t work on everybody

Ronan O'Gara opens up about the challenges of coaching La Rochelle, balancing tough love with rebuilding confidence as his team struggles through a tough patch

HELD UP: Leinster wing James Lowe is held up by Antoine Hastoy in last April's one-sided Champions Cupquarter final. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

IN EVERY sense of the term, I grew up in a team where tough love was the order of the day. The Munster changing room was a crucible, with strong, honest characters and burning ambition, but any further scrutiny of that phenomenon must begin with one fundamental: it was an unbelievably tight dressing room, everyone had each other’s back.

It shaped me. I’m just not sure how much I always wanted to win, whether than be in the school yard at Spioraid Naoimh, at Pres, or with Cork Con. Did I just find the ideal environment and temperature for my own cravings?