“Small and disappointing comments”, O’Gara apologizes after his criticism of Toulouse

2023-06-23 18:00:05
By Le Figaro

Posted 26 minutes ago, Just Updated

Irishman Ronan O’Gara, manager of Stade Rochelais. XAVIER LEOTY / AFP

The manager of Stade Rochelais made his mea culpa after his criticism of “the great Stade Toulousain which will explain rugby to everyone”.

At the end of the final lost on Saturday in extremis by La Rochelle against Toulouse, the manager of the Maritimes, Ronan O’Gara, sharply criticized the Rouge et Noir. “It’s difficult now because we’re going to see the great Stade Toulousain which will explain rugby to everyone“, he had notably dropped in the passageways of the Stade de France. Adding: “They were an average team in front of us who took advantage of our mistakes. Stop saying it’s a huge Stade Toulousain, I don’t agree with that! We can accept a defeat if they scored four good tries, but we didn’t see them. Maybe it’s OK to say that the best team lost…»

Biting remarks, not fair play and even less classy, ​​which the Irish technician regrets. Podcast guest Off The Ball the La Rochelle manager returned to his slippage, making his mea culpa. “I was disrespectful saying it was an average team from Toulouse. For all those who have played for Toulouse or who will play there in the future,these comments were small and disappointing on my partand I accept that. It’s important that I say it.”did he declare.

“Toulouse’s performance in the final was average, but that doesn’t make them an average team”

Recalling the record of the Toulouse club (22 Brennus, 5 Champions Cup), the former opener of the XV du Trèfle concedes: “You cannot destroy the history of this club, because it is very powerful.And to conclude: “I think I could and should have thought clearly or at least been more specific in what I said. I thought Toulouse’s performance in the final was average, but that doesn’t make them an average team.”

The spirits, before this final, had heated with his counterpart Ugo Mola, but the Irishman had recognized that his team, double European champion in title, was favorite. After the final, the assistant coach of the Toulouse backs, Clément Poitrenaud, wanted to put things right: “It’s not enough to say it in the microphones, you have to assume it on the ground. During the week, a lot of stuff was said and I’m very happy that the players responded. We used those statements. When they are announced losers, it’s hard to live for these great competitors that are our players…»