O'Gara rules himself out of contention for Munster job
O'Gara is Munster's all-time leading scorer and won two European Cups during his 16-year playing career with the province
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Ronan O'Gara has ruled himself out of the running to replace Graham Rowntree as Munster head coach.
Munster announced Rowntree's departure earlier this week after a run of three successive United Rugby Championship defeats.
As one of the club's most iconic players, O'Gara has been mentioned as a possible successor but he says he plans to remain as La Rochelle head coach until his contract expires in 2027.
"I am contracted to 2027," the former Ireland fly-half, who has won two Investec Champions Cups as La Rochelle boss, told Off the Ball.
"One of the things I learned from players that I played with or people who managed me is that a contract is a contract.
"I signed until 2027 and unless I get fired, I’ll be there until 2027."
'There is a drive inside you to coach Ireland'
Having been forwards coach since 2019, Rowntree was named head coach in 2022, replacing Johann van Graan.
The former England prop led Munster to the URC title in his first season - the club's first trophy in 12 years - but parted ways after losses to Leinster, the Stormers and the Sharks.
"It’s big news, obviously, because it doesn’t happen very often," added O'Gara, who has been in charge of La Rochelle since 2019.
"When something like that happens, everyone is obviously taken by surprise and wants to know what happened, and I would be in that category too."
O'Gara has been open about wanting to coach Ireland, who are currently led by Andy Farrell
O'Gara, a star of Ireland's 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, has in the past been open about his desire to coach the national team and that remains a "goal" for the 47-year-old.
"There is a drive inside you to coach Ireland or one of the best countries in the world that you could win a World Cup with.
"That’s always been a goal for me. I have always been short-term focused and it’s worked well for me. I enjoy that, I enjoy the journey.
"I dream a lot. I know what I’m doing this week, next month and the rest of it takes care of itself."