The ‘accidental' Irish coach behind Bordeaux's freewheeling backline

Telegraph

23-05-2025

An aptitude for working with youngsters has helped. Bielle-Biarrey, he of 31 tries in 27 appearances this season, is just 21. Marko Gazzotti, an all-action back-rower, is a year younger. Yoram Moefana, 24, has become an 'undisputed starter' at centre for France after finding a new level of late. Alongside him for Bordeaux has been Nicolas Depoortère, 22. Watch out for teenager Jon Echegaray, who has four tries in five senior outings, too.
McNamara remembers feeling relieved in 2019 when he was head coach of Ireland U20 because Jalibert had been whisked out of age-group action to represent France seniors. His replacement was Romain Ntamack. The point of the story is not just to underline the extraordinary depth in France, but to reinforce how Jalibert is still 26. Romain Buros, 'imperious' at full-back on Test debut against the All Blacks in November, has scope to progress at 27.
'Bordeaux and Northampton are open environments'
Enjoyment is 'critical' to McNamara, with 'fun but never funny' one of his mantras. Yet the pain of last season, in the form of a horrible 59-3 loss to Toulouse in the Top 14 final and a surprise defeat by Harlequins in the Champions Cup, can be a stepping stone for Bordeaux.
Ousting Saints, they know, will take another excellent performance. Game recognises game, and McNamara has developed a long-distance friendship with Sam Vesty. Both speak about using structured patterns to free runners into unstructured scenarios and McNamara sees similarities in the approaches of the Champions Cup finalists.
'I was in Durban watching Northampton in the Premiership and I liked how they adapted to different things,' he recalls.
'I believe that the attack should adapt to the defence; the defence gives you your attack. And Northampton are a team that do that really, really well. At the time, they were adapting really well to Saracens, who were among the best defensive teams in the world at the time, and I was intrigued.
'I knew Maurice Hartery, who'd been a teacher in Limerick and was working as Northampton's manager. I was keen to have a chat with Sam and Maurice put me in contact. We had a few video calls and had been talking about visiting one another over the course of this season. Bordeaux and Northampton are open environments.
'It's not that there are any secrets or that we're trying to protect things; everyone is incredibly open and happy to share ideas and concepts. Whatever happens this weekend, that will continue.'
'I get back to the farm as often as I can'
While McNamara is 'very much connected' to Bordeaux, his own prospects are undeniably exciting. And whichever way his path turns, the family farm will remain an inspiration. His 81-year-old father, Denis, still works full days as a reminder of how 'you look after something that will look after you in future.'
'I love that idea about farming,' McNamara says. 'It's similar in rugby. I'd love to think that someday we'd go back.
'We have a little fruit garden in Gradignan and I love the concept for the kids. We still have cows at home on the farm and I try to get back there as often as I can. I find it very grounding.
'It was ingrained from a very young age; to have that work ethic and that passion in what you do. That's everything, you know?'
Listening to McNamara leaves you in no doubt that enthusiasm and dedication are indeed everything. He has described himself as an 'accidental' coach, which may well have helped him become a highly accomplished and intuitive one.