O'Gara in talks to extend La Rochelle contract until 2031 and end Leinster speculation

Ronan O’Gara is in advanced talks to extend his contract with La Rochelle until 2031, French outlet Sud Ouest has reported, a move that would keep the Irishman at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre for a potential total of 14 seasons and close the door on a switch to Leinster.

O’Gara, 49, is entering the final year of his current deal and his eighth season at La Rochelle — the sixth as head coach. A dip in the club’s form in recent seasons had fuelled widespread speculation about his future, with some questioning whether he would even see out his existing contract.

The most prominent alternative destination had been Leinster, where Leo Cullen is set to depart at the end of the season. However, a contract extension in France would effectively remove O’Gara from that conversation. Andy Farrell’s own contract extension with Ireland until 2031 had already ruled out the Munster legend — capped 128 times for his country — from taking charge of the national side in the near term, though a 2031 end date at La Rochelle would align neatly with Farrell’s deal, leaving the Ireland job as a longer-term possibility.

Key to any agreement, according to reports, is the level of recruitment control O’Gara will be granted. La Rochelle have been active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat, Samoa captain Theo McFarland and former Bulls centre David Kriel, while international props Joel Sclavi and Reda Wardi have departed.

O’Gara guided La Rochelle to back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, establishing the club among Europe’s elite. His stated ambition remains to add a Top 14 title — which would be the first in the club’s history — and return them to the summit of European rugby after a difficult couple of seasons.

La Rochelle open their Top 14 campaign this weekend at home to reigning champions Toulouse, a fixture that will serve as an early indicator of whether the squad rebuild is bearing fruit.