'Growing up, you'd see the likes of O'Gara, O'Connell, O'Callaghan, these legends of Irish rugby, then all of a sudden you're in the same changing room as them.'
GROWING UP IN the north of England, Sean Dougall never could have imagined that a professional rugby career would bring him to settle so thoroughly into life in France.
It’s a nice spot for someone who only started coaching as recently as 2021 when he retired from playing after two seasons in the PRO D2. Dougall is grateful for the chance. The atmosphere in La Rochelle this week is understandably electric, with the Champions Cup final rematch against Leinster to come in Dublin on Saturday.
“There were difficult times, especially the last year when I didn’t play a lot, but what an environment to be part of. You talk about professionalism… that culture of rugby in Munster was just amazing. Dougall had four enjoyable years in the Top 14 with Pau before spending two seasons with Valence Romans in the second-tier PRO D2. The rugby challenge was great, while he and his wife, Emily, have loved life in France.
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