Present at a press conference two days before Bristol's Champions Cup reception (Saturday, 9 p.m., 2nd day), Stade Rochelais manager Ronan O'Gara spoke for the first time on the Jegou affair -Auradou.
Asked about the dismissal pronounced Tuesday by the Argentine courts, the Irishman continued the conversation for around ten minutes, evoking in particular his “shock” regarding the current rape trial concerning ex-Grenoble players, but also the management of the third halves and the education of the players.
- The relief of dismissal: “It’s good for Oscar’s conscience that he can sleep peacefully”
“The club did a huge job. Our president (Vincent Merling) was really struggling over the last six months, he was very affected, he didn't really sleep, he worked in the shadows on the file, he did a lot of good things. He wasn't able to talk too much but he worked really well. It's the strongest “result” possible. There is the dismissal, yes, but also the fact that Oscar. be cleared (the plaintiff's lawyer however appealed, Editor's note). It is good for Oscar's conscience that he can sleep peacefully, that he no longer has any [il imite brièvement des commérages]little stories, “maybe, maybe” (doubts), that it’s over. Discussions over!
Also read:
Jegou-Auradou affair – Argentine justice dismisses the case, the two players of the XV of France are acquitted
[…] If I felt a form of liberation in Oscar since the dismissal? If he shows it? No. He's a professional. When he was on the field, he was always focused on rugby. There has been no change in behavior since Tuesday. That means he was confident these last few months. The most important thing was to get him out of Argentina, to bring him back with us, to his family. He was relieved after that.”
- Support from Oscar Jegou: “I will remain hyper vigilant because he is a child, he needs to be protected”
“I imagine that it is very, very difficult to live with. I am his coach, I am very proud of him, but it is not easy. I will remain hyper vigilant towards him because he is a child, he is very young, he needs to be protected, to learn and to be educated like the others.
Also read:
Jegou – Auradou case – “Relief” for Pau and La Rochelle after the announcement of the dismissal of the case
[…] We have a huge responsibility: to pay attention to our mind. Maybe in six months he will reflect and be in a depressed state. We don't know. We are talking about young players with emotions, who are fragile. They are not robots. It can happen to any staff member and any player. We all have a responsibility. I've always said that a discussion can solve half a problem. It is important, especially for young players, to speak. Maybe not to the coach, but between players.
[…] Support is based on a strategy for the entire club. Things organized off the field remain private. But there was a plan for him to really focus on rugby. Education is the most important thing. He is educated, informed about every action or decision. About the fact that everything has a consequence.”
“After Bath, it was Coca-Cola”
- The rape trial of ex-Grenoble players: “It’s too important to educate our players”
“I read (the requisitions) on my cell phone (before the press conference). This has never happened in our sport. It's incredible. I'm shocked. You can't underestimate the importance of education, we all have a role. The most important thing is the young girl (the victim, editor's note) and her family. Everyone is destroyed by this. It could also have happened to. Oscar in Argentina, he came close to passing. maybe 10 years in prison. It's not possible, all that. It's too important for me – as an adult, as a coach, as a parent – to educate our players.
- The third halves: “After Bath, it was Coca Cola […] We are able to have fun without alcohol.”
“Society and the world have changed, we need to adapt. After the victory in Bath (last Friday, in the Champions Cup), it was Coca Cola. And, perhaps, a small beer. In the past , it was always beer. I don't have a problem with it. It's good. A bottle of beer looks like a bottle of Coke. bottle of coke? I don't know, ask them nutritionists. But fifteen bottles of beer after a match is in the past. That was my generation. But it's always a challenge, when the players are alone. per week. There are traps everywhere, threats, we need to accept it and live differently. We are able to have fun without alcohol, it is important for the future.
- The Six Nations Tournament with the French XV: “Oscar Jegou will be in the debate”
“Oscar is very efficient, very intelligent, very “rugby”. This team (La Rochelle) needs players like him and Matthias (Haddad-Victor), it gives a lot of energy to experienced players. We are a very good team with the two in the third row. The 6 Nations Tournament will be in the debate.
