Since assuming control of La Rochelle in 2019 Ronan O'Gara has announced himself as one of world rugby's premiere club coaches, leading the Mariners to two European Champions Cup victories.
While O'Gara's five years at La Rochelle have seen him earn a reputation as one of the Top 14's most fiery and passionate managers, the Corkonian has also been hailed for his work in fostering a sense of community within his La Rochelle squad.
However, despite the success that has brought on the European circuit, there is still plenty to achieve for O'Gara's La Rochelle who are yet to lift French Rugby's top prize. Having reached the final on two occasions, O'Gara's Mariners have failed to overcome the final hurdle on both occasions.
Speaking about how the squad's ambition to be the Champions of France has led to O'Gara demanding much more than just wins from his players, South African winger Dillyn Leyds revealed that despite his reputation as fiery, O'Gara's ability to motivate his players is second to none.
20 May 2023; La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara before the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
La Rochelle star hails O'Gara's motivational ability
Leyds was speaking ahead of the Mariner's clash with Bayonne, when he revealed that O'Gara's quality as a human and coach are paramount to his ability to motivate his players, explaining that O'Gara knows his players so well, that his often controversial criticism of them is specifically tailored to players who respond to it.
He always knows when to (criticise his players). That’s just the kind of coach he is – he knows his players really well and he knows who he’s able to do that with because he knows the reaction he’ll get.
Sometimes, if a coach comes hard at players, they might not get the reaction they want, and the player goes into his shell and backtracks a bit. But that’s the type of human being he is and the quality coach he is: he knows when to do it, to get the reaction he wants. He’s the kind of guy you want to go out there and play for. When a coach shows that much passion and that much gratitude and love for the club, as a player, you follow.
He leads from the front. That’s why this playing group respects him so much. He’s a guy who’s obviously bought into the culture [of French rugby]. He knows how to get not just the foreigners going, but also the French boys going. And he understands how important it is to make sure that we’re not foreigners and French players – we’re all La Rochelle. We play for one club and we buy into one plan. I think that is really, really cool.
Despite O'Gara utilising the media to motivate his players, Leyds' comments on Ronan O'Gara's management of each player's individual personality undoubtedly explain how he gets the extra ten percent out of his side.
While both O'Gara and Leyds are targeting a first Top 14 title this season, their form took a significant hit this weekend as O'Gara was left asking for fans' forgiveness.
La Rochelle had enjoyed a promising start to their season when they claimed victory in three of their opening five games. However, a trip to Northern Spain to face Bayonne last Saturday saw them hammered 37-7 in what was an embarrassing defeat for the European Champions.
SEE ALSO: Disbelief As Ulster Winning Try V Connacht Not Chalked Off By Officials
