Ronan O'Gara: 'How can we play like that in such an important match?'

“I accept my weaknesses and mistakes, but it’s also important that we do this collectively. I wasn’t expecting [to drop out of the top six], especially like this, but there are a lot of questions.” 

END OF SEASON: La Rochelle missed out on a top six spot following their defeat to Pau. Pic: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP

“It’s the end of a cycle,” Ronan O’Gara declared after La Rochelle lost 32-18 at Pau on the final night of the regular Top 14 season to slip out of the top six and miss out on the play-offs for the first time since 2018.

“We need new ideas, new players, new tactics, a complete overhaul, and much more consistency,” O’Gara told journalists in the post-match press conference.