Ronan O'Gara insists he enjoys a 'respectful' relationship with Leo Cullen even if the pair have often been adversaries during their careers.
The Munster legend faced off with the Leinster stalwart on many occasions as a player when the rivalry between the two provinces was arguably at its peak.
That rivalry has renewed in recent years with Cullen and O'Gara managing two of the best teams in Europe in Leinster and La Rochelle respectively. They've crossed paths in the last two Champions Cup finals, with O'Gara's side twice winning epic battles late on.
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Despite the competitive nature of the relationship, O'Gara told Off The Ball that he rates Cullen very highly.
"He's a very under-appreciated competitor," said O'Gara.
"I think a lot of guys think that he's in more of a manager role. Yeah, he has that overseeing role but I think this guy is a serious, serious operator with a burning desire inside him to make his club the best club in the world."
While the two have been on opposite sides for practically their whole careers and aren't exactly the best of friends, O'Gara insists there has always been a healthy level of respect between the pair.
"Leo is always a great competitor, smart, but he has a nice edgy side to him. What's important for me to say on record is that I've always remained in contact with him for the last 20 years.
"There's been times when you can't... how can you get on? But there's always been a text of respect sent either way."
It's been a stunning season for O'Gara whose side beat Leinster at the Aviva Stadium to win their second Champions Cup in a row last month.
10 days later, they faced Toulouse in the final of the Top 14. With a historic double on the line, La Rochelle came up short against the five-time European champions.
After the game, O'Gara drew the ire of some fans when he referred to Toulouse as an 'average' team, a comment which he regrets making.
"One or two of my comments were small, were disappointing. I don't know if the people of France listen, I'm sure they do, but I think I showed disrespect by saying that it was an average Toulouse team.
"This is a team that has won five European Cups and have 22 Bouclier's so for anyone that probably played for them or an ex-player, those comments were disappointing and small on my behalf and I accept that now.
"What I am trying to do with La Rochelle is enforce, I suppose, the will power that we can match these guys but at the same time you can't diss them or diss their history because they're so powerful."
