Ronan O'Gara OUT of the running to replace Eddie Jones as England boss
Rugby NewsWednesday, 30 November 2022 at 13:43
Ronan O'Gara is out of the running to replace Eddie Jones as England boss after he signed a new three-year contract with La Rochelle.
The legendary Ireland fly-half has not been shy with confirming his interest in the England job but is currently in an interesting position, serving a 10-week touchline ban in France.
That ban was handed down to him for "making remarks to a match official", having already served a previous six-week suspension this season for "disrespecting the authority of a match official".
O’Gara has previously said he would be interested in the job because of the calibre of players available, but this morning he admitted it would be a ‘big leap’.
“There’s a lot to that, being the head man it’s very much your vision. Even two people who are very aligned sometimes don’t have the same vision.
“Then again, titles don’t really interest me too much and it’s just what role Scott would like to do, I would like to do and how you share responsibility.
“Even before that, it’s a big mental leap for me to decide upon.
“I wouldn’t have given that the time required, at the minute all I’ve said is that I wouldn’t rule it out, but if you were to commit to something like that I’d have to sit down with my family and work it out.”
However, today's reports in the French media claim that O'Gara will in fact stay at La Rochelle and sign a contract that will keep him in the south of France until after the 2027 World Cup.
They say: "A three-year contract, which would lead the Irish coach until the 2027 World Cup, is simply awaiting the signature of the person concerned today."
That being said, O'Gara would not be on the RFU's alleged three-person shortlist along with Borthwick and Robertson unless they were willing to pay out big money to get him.
RFU SHORTLIST DOWN TO TWO:
#1. Scott Robertson
Mike Brown, the former England fullback who captained the Barbarians against Harlequins, wrote in his Mail on Sundaycolumn that he was “convinced” Robertson would be the “perfect successor” to Jones.
Scott Robertson facts:
- Robertson showed huge ambition as he outlined a goal to win the World Cup with two different countries
- His position as a player was flanker and he played for Bay of Plenty, Perpignan, Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks
- Robertson is known for his post victory match break dancing routine
#2. Steve Borthwick
The former England captain worked with Jones for five years in the England set-up as forwards coach, and a further three years as assistant coach in Japan before that.
Having taken charge of the Tigers in 2020, Borthwick has overseen a huge turnaround at the club, transforming them from Premierships strugglers to pace-setters at the top of the table.
As such, his is a name very much linked to the England post.
The Leicester job is the first head coaching gig in his career, however, so the 42-year-old would be thrown in very green.
Borthwick, who picked up 57 Test caps as a player between 2001 and 2010, recently said he has "enough on my plate" at Leicester, but if England did come calling, it would be hard for him to say no.
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