Ulster head coach Dan McFarland praised Ronan O’Gara for his work with La Rochelle ahead of the showdown between the two sides this weekend in the Champions Cup.
The two sides enter the clash in different spaces after McFarland’s men slumped to a heavy 39-0 defeat to Sale Sharks in the opening round, whilst La Rochelle claimed a strong 46-12 win over Northampton Saints.
Tough loss
McFarland admits the big loss was tough for the group to take, particularly given the side’s solid start to the United Rugby Championship prior to the Champions Cup opening round.
“We’ve got to own a 39-0 defeat, don’t we? It’s very difficult when you’re a very honest group like these guys are; we measure ourselves by certain standards,” McFarland told the Irish Examiner.
The Ulster boss only had good things to say about O’Gara, who he thought has been “brave” throughout his coaching career so far in the decisions he has made.
“It’s very interesting,” McFarland said.
Click Here: FIJI Rugby Shop
“One, he is very brave. I think stepping out of what you know and going and trying something different is very difficult, full stop. I know that. I left Connacht and had lived there for fifteen years to go to Glasgow.
“I was probably way more experienced at that stage than he was when he moved away. I know that was tough for me.
“He clearly made the decision that the experiences he needed had to be expanded. So I think that is very brave. He’s obviously in a situation where he has been able to go to great clubs, who are very successful in their own right and learn under people who are doing great things.
“That can only help. I don’t know Ronan that well, but when he speaks and the stuff he has in the media, he makes a lot of sense, doesn’t he? He obviously thinks a lot about what he does.”
Impressive club ethos
The Ulsterman commended the ethos that O’Gara has developed at the club and sees a clear alignment between the coaches and the players.
“Well, I think they definitely have something they stand for. That’s the biggest thing, you have a way of playing that you can clearly see that’s what Ronan and the guys there have developed,” said McFarland.
“There seems to be a common thread and ethos within the club, and I think that’s probably the biggest challenge as a Head Coach, to get that into place.
“I don’t really know the details of what they do, but you can look at a team and see what they are doing week-in, week-out, and they are doing it well and doing a good job.”