Ronan O’Gara on the biggest issue that most will agree is holding Ireland back
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Game time.
Rewind to 2023. Ireland U20s defeat France U20s in an absolute thriller to win a Six Nations Grand Slam. The future looks bright in green.
Fast forward to 2026, though, and it’s a different story.
How many of those Irish players are playing regularly now compared to those French players? Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Émilien Gailleton, Hugo Auradou, Lenni Nouchi, Marko Gazzotti, Théo Attissogbé, Oscar Jégou and Nicolas Depoortère have all played senior International rugby since then.
In fact, most of them have logged 50+ games for their club since then. Ireland? Only Sam Prendergast is playing regular rugby from that squad, with Paddy and Gus McCarthy the only other two who have played for Ireland.
Most of them aren’t even playing regularly for their provinces, and that is a big issue for Ireland.
“Young kids need to play and they need to make mistakes,” O’Gara told us.
“They need to play again, and they need to play again, and they need to make mistakes, and they need to play again.
“In Ireland, it’s too competitive. It’s too hard to break in as a starting player with the level of competition you have with the four teams.
“I think the difference between now and when I played is I was able to make mistakes for Munster and get picked the next week and the following week and make mistakes and grow.
“Obviously, I had something, but it’s only when you get minutes in the saddle that you become better because you have real-life experiences and it’s gold… It’s a perfect example, and it’s probably the best example you can give.
“You’ve rattled off ten names there that have become household names, and I think you’re probably nowhere near the ceiling of a Bielle-Biarrey or a Depoortère or a Nouchi or a Jégou or a Gailleton.
“These guys are going to become better and better because they’re playing three out of four games every month are tough games.
“So if they’re not getting better physically, they’re getting better mentally, and you put that into a pot of the combined players in France, it means when you get their best 23 together to play in a blue jersey, you wouldn’t mind coaching that.”
DAN BIGGAR & RONAN O’GARA TEAM UP WITH Heineken® 0.0 FOR TWO EXCLUSIVE IRISH LIVE SHOWS
BIGGS & ROG On The FLY
In Association With Heineken® 0.0
Hosted by two of the game’s most influential fly halves, Welsh Rugby Star Dan Biggar and Ireland’s own Ronan O’Gara, BIGGS & ROG On The FLY in association with Heineken® 0.0 will take place at the newly reopened Savoy, Cork on March 04th, with the final pre-match showdown at The Harcourt Hotel in Dublin on March 05th.
Having become a defining presence and fan favourites for their sharp analysis and uncompromising honesty during the British & Irish Lions Tour, the appetite for more was impossible to ignore. Biggar and O’Gara reunite in front of a live audience to share their perspectives on the competitive side of International Rugby and Test matches. From high-pressure match moments and pre-game dressing room dynamics to leadership and the importance of the kicker’s tactical control, as well as the fine margins between victory and defeat, nothing is off limits. Curated in association with Heineken® 0.0, these events promise a premium sporting experience, insight, unforgettable moments and a chance for rugby fans to connect in the run-up to the match.
Rivals by nation. Icons by reputation. Brought together by Heineken® 0.0.
