Ronan O'Gara has re-iterated his desire to become Ireland head-coach in the future, calling the prospect "hugely exciting".
The former Munster out-half is preparing La Rochelle for their maiden Heineken Champions Cup final, where they'll face Toulouse in an all French affair.
O'Gara's built up an impressive coaching CV to date with spells at Racing in France and with Super Rugby giants The Crusaders in New Zealand.
Ireland's record points scorer recently signed a three-year contract at La Rochelle but he was unequivocal when asked if coaching Ireland is in his long-term plans.
“Of course it is, damn right it is,” O'Gara told The Telegraph ahead of tomorrow's decider at Twickenham.
“Because that's the ultimate. Winning a World Cup with your country. That’s what you want to do.
"But the reality is you may have to do another nation before you get the Irish job because the Ireland job is a big, big job.
“But that doesn’t frighten me one bit. I have been pretty consistent in my steps and I feel I can add stuff to certain teams, so in that regard it wouldn’t be from a lack of belief and confidence for taking on the job.
"Far from it. It would be hugely exciting and a massive privilege.”
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