LA Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara reckons Harry Byrne’s loan move to Bristol Bears from Leinster could become a permanent deal.
The former Ireland and Munster out-half was speaking on Off The Ball about the Leinster number ten’s move across the pond.
2
Harry Byrne moved to Bristol from Leinster on a three month load deal
2
La Rochelle’s Irish coach Ronan O’Gara reckons the deal could possibly become a permanent one
Byrne, who is Leinster’s fourth choice at ten, opted to make the three month move to get some valuable game time.
He sits behind Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley and his brother ross on the pecking order.
Loan deals are not common place in URC or English Premiership, but they happen regularly in French club rugby.
But O’Gara thinks the switch to Pat Lam’s side will be a mental boost for the player, and even reckons it could lead to a long term deal with the Bears.
He said: “There is no history of loan deals really or it is very infrequently done shall we say.
“Essentially, what has happened is that at best he was fourth in the pecking order.
“I think for himself and his own headspace, he needed to go challenge himself and go play rugby, and he has found himself in a good club for this opportunity.”
“The best example that I could give would be Thomas Ramos who spent, I think, two years on loan with Colomiers in the Pro D2.
“Everyone just assumes that this guy was a born superstar, but it doesn’t happen like that.
“From my experience, what happens in these situations is you get in a place and if you are happy, and you are in a flow – the three months can become 12 months – can become permanent.”
Peter O’Mahony’s wife Jessica posts video of Ireland rugby legend pouring beer in back garden
Meanwhile, O’Gara will be without Teddy Thomas for La Rochelle’s Champions Cup clash against Leinster next Sunday in France.
The winger has been banned for next week’s European clash in France.
he 31-year-old France international was further punished after a yellow-carded for a challenge on Clermont’s Theo Giral.
A review committee cited the incident, and the player received a four game ban.
The news will come as a blow to Ronan O’Gara’s team ahead of the clash with their Euro rivals.
Thomas will be missing for Saturday’s French league clash with Toulouse, and the Pool 2 rematch against Leo Cullen’s side next Sunday, who beat La Rochelle twice last season.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
The post La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara chimes in on Harry Byrne’s loan move to Bristol from Leinster Rugby first appeared on Rugby 247.
—-
Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-05 04:24:26
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.