While O’Gara admits to having just “half an eye” on the Challenge Cup, a return to Belfast will perhaps stir memories of the legendary Irish fly-half’s youth.
In 2000, he scored every point for Munster in a 21-16 Interprovincial Championship win at Ulster’s Ravenhill home, outshining Ireland fly-half rival David Humphreys in the process.
Twenty six years on, the 49-year-old is now attempting to bring La Rochelle’s next generation into what he calls the club’s “rebuild mode”.
Last week against Newcastle, all but one of his starting pack were 23 years old or younger. He started a 19-year-old (Diego Jurd) at fly-half and another (Gabin Garault) at hooker.
Still contending with a lengthy injury list that has robbed him of several seasoned campaigners, he has indicated a similar make-up for the Affidea Stadium contest.
Ulster, chasing their first major silverware in 20 years, are expected to go stronger with head coach Richie Murphy having packed his side with experience and Irish internationals for last week’s 28-24 victory over Ospreys.
“We know it’s going to go up ten-fold this weekend, it’s a different calibre of opposition with a different support base and different intimidation,” said O’Gara, whose side beat Ulster home and away in the 2022-23 Champions Cup.
“It’s part of the learning curve for every young player so it’ll be challenging at times on Friday, but when we’re on the ropes we need to stay in the fight against Ulster.
“That’s key because they are a hugely improved side, but they still haven’t arrived at being able to consistently put away big teams.
“We are a big team even though we’d like to be a big group and there’s a difference. We have to transfer the big team into the big group and that’s the challenge this weekend for us.”
