Crusaders assistant O'Gara heading to France

Ex-Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara has joined French Top 14 club La Rochelle as head coach from next season, the club announced Wednesday.

The 42-year-old, who was capped 128 times for Ireland, will be working under manager Jono Gibbes, the former All Black, the club said.

O'Gara, the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam winner is a fluent French speaker who coached at Paris-based Racing 92 for four seasons.

He will join ambitious La Rochelle from the New Zealand Crusaders where he has been assistant coach since 2017.

O'Gara had earlier this year ruled himself out of a coaching job with the French national squad for the World Cup.

He will take over responsibility for the three-quarters from Xavier Garbajosa, who has moved to Montpellier.