Head coach O’Gara has won great praise in the French media and abroad for his ‘Keep Ball Alive’ mindset, which saw La Rochelle claim their first Heineken Champions Cup crown in 2022 with a thrilling last-minute 24-21 victory over Leinster Rugby and reach the TOP 14 final in 2021.

The Heineken Champions Cup victory avenged the previous season’s defeat, when they paid the price for Levani Botia’s first-half red card and were ultimately edged out by Stade Toulousain, 22-17.

As a player, O’Gara enjoyed great success in the Heineken Champions Cup, twice winning the trophy with Munster Rugby. He is also the tournament’s all-time leading points-scorer, with 1365.

La Rochelle are looking to kick on from last year’s success and currently sit fourth in the TOP 14. With signings like wing Teddy Thomas coming in, O’Gara’s men will be looking for another deep run in the Heineken Champions Cup, where they kick off their campaign at home to Northampton Saints this Saturday at 17:30 (UK & Irish time).

Ronan O’Gara has signed a new five-year deal with Stade Rochelais, having led the team to back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup finals in 2021 and 2022.