The 44-year-old Munster Rugby legend, holder of the records for the most points and appearances in European club rugby’s elite competition, will take over from Jono Gibbes, who leaves the TOP 14 club at the end of June.

O’Gara, who scored 1,365 points in 110 European Cup appearances, will step up from his head coach role on July 1 on a three-season contract.

He told the La Rochelle website: "I am extremely proud of the trust that Stade Rochelais continues to show me by appointing me at the head of the team.

“I am obviously very excited about next season, but first, we have important challenges ahead of us and above all a good season to end in the best possible way."

These challenges include that first Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, at home to Leinster Rugby at Stade Marcel Deflandre on May 2, live on BT Sport, FR2 and beIN SPORTS.

La Rochelle said they were “delighted” with O’Gara's re-engagement until 2024 and “his loyalty to the La Rochelle sporting project”.

“He will continue to strengthen [this] through his managerial skills, his experience at a very high level and his full immersion in the culture of the club,” they added.

Head coach at La Rochelle since July 2019, the ex-Ireland fly-half began his coaching career as defence coach at Racing 92 in 2013, helping them to the French title in 2016, before joining the Crusaders in 2018 as assistant coach and assisting in two Super Rugby titles.

Two-time European Cup winner Ronan O'Gara has been rewarded for helping steer La Rochelle to their maiden Heineken Champions Cup semi-final with a promotion to director of rugby.