La Rochelle in dire need of 'wake-up call'

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SPOTLIGHT: Stade Rochelais head coach Ronan O'Gara made it clear there is much work left to do for his side as they prepare for their biggest test yet in this year's Champions Cup.

Despite beating current TOP 14 and Champions Cup holders Stade Toulousain on Saturday, O'Gara was aware of the sub-par performances his side have been showing in recent weeks.

Beating a compromised Stade Toulousain side—missing stars like Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, and Jack Willis—thanks to a last-minute penalty was a crucial win.

However, recent defeats to USAP and RC Vannes in the TOP 14 mean preparation for Champions Cup Round 3 against Leinster is far from what the Irish head coach would have hoped for.

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O'Gara did little to hide his discontent at his side's current situation, appearing unmoved by the win Stade Toulousain.

"It feels like a loss. It's tough at the moment. We need to change something up," O'Gara said.

"We're going through a tough spell; our game is going through a tough spell. But all that can change. It's up to us to turn things around."

And with the visit of none other than Champions Cup heavyweights Leinster coming up on Sunday, the French side's coach is hoping that a break from TOP 14 action is precisely what his players need.

"I'm confident we'll find solutions, and fast. Leinster come here on Sunday. Maybe it's the wake-up call we need… I'm not going to lose faith in my players."

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In fact, it was his side's form in club rugby's greatest competition that Ronan O'Gara appeared most satisfied with. But the Irish coach made sure to stress the importance of seeking continual improvement in the games coming up.

"We did a good job against Bath and Bristol. Both the players and I have got to give more. That's this week's objective, it's not enough to just say you want to win the Champions Cup year on year – life doesn't work like that.

"You need to work hard, go back to the drawing board and forget about what's happened in the past."

Source: ChampionsCup