Ronan O'Gara - Champions Cup winning coach. Has a bit of a ring to it, doesn't it?
While it would come at the expense of Leinster, you can't help but be delighted for the Ireland and Munster legend.
We didn't need reminding, but the love Ronan O'Gara has for the Champions Cup was on full show in Marseille, with the La Rochelle coach as animated as ever in the coaches box throughout the game.
Ronan O'Gara living and breathing every moment in Marseille! 😆#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/mtGlIarzHR
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 28, 2022
His team would win the game in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Despite trailing late in the game finding themselves down to 14 men, they would launch a late siege on the Leinster line. They eventually cross in the 79th minute, leaving the Irish side no time to respond.
LA ROCHELLE HAVE GOT THE TRY! 🟡⚫️
They take the lead in the last minute!
What amazing drama! #LEIvSR #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/nINQDXfobI— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 28, 2022
Ronan O'Gara was right at the heart of the celebrations.
Ronan O'Gara's Band of Brothers! 💛
The moment La Rochelle realised their European dream, winning the @ChampionsCup in Marseille 🏆#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/9n3P1WzgOO— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 28, 2022
What a man.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, the Munster legend summed up just how special this moment was for the club. He also admitted that he devised a plan to beat Leinster after picking holes in some of their recent performances.
Ronan O'Gara soaked by La Rochelle team in brilliant BT Sport interview after Champions Cup win
"Should be carnage on the Port for the next four days!"
It's the chat we've been waiting for, he's always a fascinating listen.
Here's La Rochelle coach @RonanOGara10 ✨
WARNING: Includes mid-interview soaking! 😂#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/tC1KEOEV6P— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 28, 2022
I knew defensively the way we set up, we wouldn't really let them play. We did a lot of homework. The Connacht game in Galway and the Leicester game gave me enough to work with.
We could see that if you stand off them it's going to be like the Aviva. They're very strong in the Aviva, but thankfully today was in Marseille.
You've got to be proud of how we defended. Leinster don'e concede tries and that goes back to my days...
There was great heart. At 18-10 we could have rolled over and said 'this is Leinster and they're going for their fifth medal'. This is the start of something special here...
We had [Donnacha] 'Skin' Ryan harping away in Tipperary French all week about 'the quickest way to the try line is straight'. He hates when the backs get their hands on it so it should be a good video review this week...
We knew that Leinster are usually out of sight in the first half. At halftime, even though it was only five points it felt like a defeat for us. I was like 'what's your problem?'
The data shows in the last 20 minutes we score 60 per cent of our scores, while Leinster do it in the first 20...
I think the great thing when you're a player, even when you have an average game you release emotions. As a coach, it's penned up.
We're trying to get buy-in to the vision. We have all nationalities and you're speaking to them in pidgin French. They're looking at you like 'why should we believe you coach?'
You're like 'just stay with me here, we can do this'. It feels a little bit surreal, because it was such a tense game, that we wake up as European champions.
This marks a major step in Ronan O'Gara's career, who now must be considered to be among the most elite coaches in the game. Very few gave side any chance of turning over Leinster, but his game plan allowed them to do so.
You get the feeling that this won't be his last victory on the biggest stage.
SEE ALSO: 'We Probably Didn’t Get The Build Up Right', Sexton On Champions Cup Regrets And O'Gara Rivalry
