He had a tantalizing taste of European Rugby at Thomond Park at the weekend - startled by the warmth of his welcome, ended up joining the Munster warm-up in error - and today's French press hint at a potential Munster return for Ronan O'Gara.
After the game, O'Gara admitted that he craves a return home, and when asked about it post-game by Sky Sports, he had this to say:
You were waiting to ask that! Of course I would [like to return], yeah. It's a special club. Look at the ground tonight.
I think anyone who isn't impressed with what they produce here isn't right in the head. It's an incredible place. The people are so passionate - it's everything that's good about sport.
I was lucky to be on that rollercoaster for a long time; now you've gotta go away and see how other cultures work, and then hopefully come back when you're the finished article.
The feeling that O'Gara's time in Paris is nearing an end was hinted at even before the Thomond game: O'Gara spoke with deep exasperation at Racing's thumping at home to Munster. O'Gara said that Racing's preparation wasn't good enough, saying that "we are lacking detail in our game, and probably not fit enough".He agreed that Racing are suffering a hangover from last season, going on to say that they lack subtlety in their game plan, having been schooled up front and in the kicking game by their Irish opponents. Most intriguingly, O'Gara questioned Racing's recruitment policy, citing the youth in the Munster team as the counter-point to his own squad.
Reports in today's French press may accelerate a potential departure. Midi Olympique report that Chris Masoe, the club's 37-year old flanker, will join the coaching staff from next season as "defence organiser and individual skills coach".
Munster return for Ronan O'Gara
While this is no guarantee that O'Gara is on his way - he is contracted until 2019, and his title is Defence Coach, higher in rank to Masoe's potential role - it would point to a departure sooner rather than later. It is definite succession planning on Racing's part, so he may be on his way home sooner rather than later.
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