Girvan Dempsey believes Ronan O’Gra can kick on as coach with Racing Metro

Girvan Dempsey recognised Ronan O’Gara’s strengths as a player. The two soldiered together long enough for the former Ireland fullback to appreciate the O’Gara personality from ringside.

His transition to working as a kicking coach in France with Racing Metro will not be a difficult one according to Dempsey, now part of the coaching staff at Leinster. O'Gara was a net contributor to Ireland on more levels than one.

“He was always very studious, very forward in terms of being involved in the game plan and analysing teams,” says Dempsey.

“Obviously on the kicking end of things he’s a master at that, he just worked so hard and I think that’s going to be his start in coaching. He’ll lead in from that and get experience that way.”

O’Gara’s natural ability was accompanied by a work ethic and a built in mental strength when it came to the set piece. There is no such thing as a genius kicker who does not work.

"One thing was the way he practised," adds Dempsey. "You've got to do that and he always worked hard at it. His mental strength is unquestionable, you saw the amount of times for Munster and Ireland over the years, the winning drop goal or the winning penalty, he's just that."

With fluent French, O’Gara’s communication skills should be good. But as Dempsey, whose team won the British and Irish Cup last weekend, knows, it takes more than words to get a message across. Can O’Gara communicate?

“Definitely,” says Dempsey. “It’s a different thing coaching. As a player communication is a lot easier. As a coach it’s something you develop . . . your communication style in terms of trying to get your message across.

“If you look around, Joe (Schmidt) is the only one with a bit of hair left, the rest of us tend to be standing pulling it out.

“You think you’re saying one thing to players and if they don’t fully understand then your message is getting lost and it’s something you’ve got to work on.”

From little steps then.