Breakaway R360 league puts Michael Cheika and Ronan O’Gara on shortlist of desired coaches as organisers eye ‘generational change’

Michael Cheika and Ronan O’Gara have emerged as coaching targets for R360 – rugby’s proposed rebel league hoping to shake-up the sport.

R360 want to produce ‘generational change’ by creating a league made up of eight new franchise teams who will play all around the world and will start next year.

Daily Mail Sport reported last week that after agreeing contract proposals with close to 200 players, R360 have turned their attention to looking at coaches for the league.

Australian Cheika, who is currently out of work after leaving Leicester Tigers at the end of last season, and La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara are two men on a long list being considered.

Both men would be attractive hires given they are high-profile figures with a reputation for playing an attacking brand of rugby – something R360 sees as important to attract fans to what is a new rugby concept. 

Michael Cheika (left) and Ronan O’Gara (right) are coaches being considered for R360

Given that Cheika is currently not contracted to a club, as things stand, he is available to work with an R360 team from the slated September 2026 start date. 

Irish great O’Gara’s deal in France’s TOP14 with La Rochelle runs until 2027, so he could not join R360 for the first season unless the rest of his contract was paid off in full. 

However, the former No 10 – who worked as part of Sky Sports’ commentary team on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia – remains a coach of very real interest.

Former England prop Joe Marler, who retired midway through last season, is also considering a rugby return to join R360.