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LA ROCHELLE’S sixth defeat in a row left Ronan O’Gara declaring: “We saw Neymar”.
The Top14 club came out on the receiving end of a 22-17 scoreline against Stade Francais for their fourth league loss in a row.
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Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle lost their fourth league loss in a row and sixth in all competitionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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He compared one of the Stade Francais players to NeymarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A critical moment came when the returning Will Skelton was sent off for a clear-out at a ruck just 20 minutes in.
After the game, O’Gara took aim at Romain Briatte for playing up to the referee, comparing him to Brazil superstar Neymar.
He said: “There is a balance to be found between aggression, intelligence and cleaning up.
“In rugby, you have the right to clean up a ruck.
Read More on Ronan O’Gara
“Unfortunately, today, we are at the Parc des Princes (PSG’s stadium) and we saw Neymar.
“It’s a dark day for rugby.
“To give a red card for that? I’m not trying to protect Will because it’s not good, but a rugby player who does that, it’s quite an interesting gesture.”
It is the toughest time of O’Gara’s spell in charge of La Rochelle – a tenure that has yielded two Investec Champions Cups.
The stress has seemingly been getting to him, as he sensationally suggested that he may have to leave if the message does not get through.
It was a suggestion that he walked back in his latest column for the Irish Examiner, revealing that he had apologised to his players in the aftermath.
Pixie Lott performs at the Six Nations rugby
He also used his column to give his taken on the upcoming retirements of Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, and Cian Healy.
Healy and O’Mahony will be leaving international rugby at the end of the Six Nations and rugby altogether at the end of the club season.
Ireland teammate Murray, meanwhile, will be leaving Munster at the end of the campaign but continuing his career abroad.
However, O’Gara suggested that new Munster head coach Clayton McMillan should try and talk O’Mahony into giving it another year.
The Chiefs boss will officially succeed Graham Rowntree in July.
And the Ireland legend said: “I wonder how Clayton McMillan reacted to the news.
“That’s a lot of knowhow leaving the Munster dressing room just as he arrives to spec a three-year project.
“You could look at it two ways. Players near the end can be tough for a coach to handle.
“If they are not able to perform like they used to, you have to manage a living legend that’s dying in front of your eyes as a player.
“Depending on what your relationship is like with the guy, it’s an emotional, difficult challenge for any coach.
“Their past has to be respected and it takes a very rare player to accept that, ok, I’ve a bit-part role to play.
“That wasn’t me. I might have had that opportunity to stay on with Munster for 12 months as a club player.
“But I’m grateful I never did. You can’t remove that competitor in you, but Father Time catches everyone.
“A real leader will understand what’s best for the group.
“He’ll look in the mirror and see the truth.
“Know deep down he might only be needed every four or five matches, or whatever it is, but that he can still contribute.
“There are very few of those guys in the world, but I get a feeling Peter might just be one.
“If I was Clayton, I wouldn’t be accepting his ‘no’ just yet.
“I’d be saying, hold on, I need to speak to you.”
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