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Rugby

Johnny Sexton backs Ronan O'Gara for coaching role at Munster or Ireland

Johnny Sexton believes Ronan O'Gara's experience coaching in France will lead him back to Ireland...



Johnny Sexton backs Ronan O...
Rugby

Johnny Sexton backs Ronan O'Gara for coaching role at Munster or Ireland

Johnny Sexton believes Ronan O'Gara's experience coaching in France will lead him back to Ireland in a similar capacity with either the national team or Munster.

O'Gara, 39, has spent three years at Racing 92 as an assistant coach and the current Leinster fly-half is confident that he will return to these shores with the experience necessary to become involved in his native province or with the Irish team.

"I suppose Rog’s input when I was there was limited in the first year," said Sexton. "He got more involved in the second year when his French was better and he knew the coaches better. I presume he’s taken a bigger role this year.

"Obviously, we became great friends. We spent a lot of time together over there. Working day-to-day was great, just chatting to him. I think he has a real future in coaching. He is contracted there for another few years."

The two endured a rather uncomfortable relationship while competing for the number 10 jersey for Ireland, but it would appear the Sexton holds the Cork native in high regard.

Ronan O'Gara and Johnny Sexton training with Ireland back in 2010. Image: Niall Carson / PA Archive/Press Association Images

“You could see him coming back to Munster or even Ireland. You never know. He has done it the right way. He went away. He is building into it."

O'Gara remains under contract with Racing, who meet Saracens in the Champions Cup final on Saturday, until 2019 and Sexton thinks his skill set is something that would benefit the next team he joins.

"I think his role should be what he’s known for, his skills," he said.

"Obviously, as an out-half, his expertise was in attack. If they gave him the attack, he would have more of an influence. He has been given the defence and you can see that is the most organised part of their game.

"A lot has changed this year over there, from speaking to Rog. His influence would have been key on the whole environment and how the team is run."

Sexton spent two years with the French side before returning to Leinster, but says he remains in touch with those he had played with previously.

"It’s always strange watching your old team," he says. "I was really happy for the players, the ones I played with. Obviously it’s a very different team to the one I played in . . . in my first year especially.

"Second year we had a few players, a better team. But I obviously missed four or five months of the season so and it didn’t work out in that season. But look, I was really happy for the guys.

"They have got some quality players in Chris Masoe, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko, three influential guys in the team. You could see that they were the three most influential players on the pitch at the weekend [during the game against Leicester]."

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