Some supporters will vulgarly say that Ronan O’Gara has “the talent”, others will agree with the words of the Irish coach. This Saturday, October 12, Ronan O’Gara appeared before the press, after the serious setback that Aviron Bayonnais inflicted on his team (37-7). Behind the scenes of Anoeta, the Stade Rochelais coach spoke about the future of Georges-Henri Colombe.
Indeed, according to Sud-Ouest, the right pillar of the Maritimes would have signed at Stade Toulousain. He should therefore join the Rouge et Noir next summer and will try to leave his mark there. At 26 years old, it is a serious sporting challenge for Georges-Henri Colombe who represents one of the most serious French hopes in his position.
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However, Ronan O’Gara does not seem to entirely agree with the many observers who promise a bright future for the former Racing 92 man. At a press conference, the La Rochelle coach did not spare his player. Among other things, the Irishman explained that he took this departure as a “failure” personal, according to comments captured by Rugby Rama.
Nevertheless, he comforts himself by recalling that “the locker room is bigger than a single player” and he stayed “faithful to its values” in the proposal made to the player. “I had offered something for him, but over the last six months, he is the fourth choice for the right prop position.[…] For me, as a father, and with the example of justice, there is Uini (Atonio), Aleksandre (Kuntelia), Joël (Sclavi) then him. I love Georges, I’m very disappointed, but I have to accept that the system is too strong for me”, says Ronan O’Gara, not without damaging his player’s reputation.
Stade Toulousain is courting this colossus with a bright future with the XV of France
Also, Ronan O’Gara explains that the demand for Georges-Henri Colombe’s position is too strong to hope to keep it as the fourth pillar in the hierarchy. “There are a lot of positive things in France, but when you are number 3 and JIFF, it’s difficult. If it doesn’t work here, it will work in Toulouse. If it doesn’t work in Toulouse, it will work in Toulon, Castres, Racing or Bordeaux. He has all the cards”, argues the former Irish international who therefore considers that “it doesn’t work” for its player on the Atlantic coast.
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Georges-Henri Colombe, status in danger
Hero of the 2023 Champions Cup final, the right pillar scored the winning try and will remain in the great history of Stade Rochelais. However, it is complicated to contradict O’Gara on the player’s current place in his squad. Indeed, Georges-Henri Colombe has played 144 minutes in the Top 14 since the start of the season, less than Uini Atonio’s other understudy, Aleksandre Kuntelia (200 minutes played). Thus, the French international could even see his playing time melt away like snow in the sun when Joël Sclavi returns from the Argentine selection. However, it is important to note that at the end of last season, Georges-Henri Colombe was still the preferred replacement at the position.
In the meantime, Georges-Henri Colombe surely hopes to be called up to Blue this fall in order to breathe a different air, far from the possible tensions linked to his departure. Since the start of the year, the Stade Rochelais pillar had established himself as the new replacement for Uini Atonio, even starting during the tour in Argentina. However, in Marcoussis too, he could face competition, with the scheduled arrival of Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu.
The right’s projects: what if Galthié had found Atonio’s worthy successor with GH Colombe?
