Irish legends O'Gara and Sexton set for battle of wills in Marseille

Ronan O'Gara held off fellow legend Johnny Sexton for several years as Ireland number one fly-half before finally conceding defeat -- on Saturday he bids to deny his successor European club rugby's biggest prize, the Champions Cup Trophy.

For La Rochelle coach O'Gara, victory in Marseille would be his third win having won two as a player with Munster, the bitter domestic rivals of Sexton's Leinster.

Sexton, at 36 nine years younger than O'Gara, is hoping to get Leinster over the line and secure a record-equalling fifth Champions Cup trophy.

O'Gara masterminded La Rochelle's semi-final victory over Leinster last year but that was against a side without Sexton in it.

As players O'Gara and Sexton differed in style, the former a more conservative playmaker than the latter. Both, however, served their country well as they won Six Nations Grand Slams, in 2009 and 2018 respectively.

There is also a French connection between the two: when Sexton joined Racing 92 in 2013, spending two years in Paris, O'Gara had just joined the coaching staff there.

Their longevity in such a physical sport speaks volumes, not just for them but also for Ireland's careful mothballing of their contracted players and a healthier diet in the era of professionalism.

O'Gara retired aged 36 but Sexton, in spite of a number of concussions, has committed himself to going on till the 2023 World Cup when he will be 38.

For former Ireland prop Marcus Horan -- who like O'Gara was an integral part of Munster's two European triumphs and a member of the 2009 Grand Slam side -- their longevity is down to a passion for the game.

"If you have that love and passion it is easy to bounce out of bed in the morning," the 44-year-old told AFP last year.

For Horan, a vital