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Crazy scenes in France as La Rochelle coach O'Gara involved with sideline player scuffle

(Source/Canal+)

A bizarre incident in the Top 14 clash between Clermont and La Rochelle has grabbed headlines after former Irish international and La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara was attacked by an opposition player.

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O’Gara, who often patrols the sidelines for his side’s games, was shoved aggressively twice by flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta after a kick sailed past into touch.

Urdapilleta had been trying to field the kick for a quick lineout whilst O’Gara was caught in the line of ball and could not escape the collision which was outside the field of play.

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The Clermont flyhalf took exception to O’Gara’s involvement and shoved the former flyhalf twice in the back, much to O’Gara’s surprise. The former Irish international was stunned but did not retaliate.

The Argetininian was penalised for the incident by the referee after a scuffle broke out between the sides.

Urdapilleta doubled down after the match speaking with Canal+ claiming that O’Gara’s blocking was intentional.

“With the adrenaline, I sometimes have a few excesses,” he said.

“He’s smart, I think he did it on purpose to prevent me to receive the ball.

“At the time of the action, we were behind in the score so it was complicated.

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“But it’s sport, it can happen. Once the match is over, you forget.”

Urdapilleta ended up with the final say, kicking a penalty that gave Clermont enough of a cushion to hold a 11-10 win.

Clermont head coach Christophe Urios, who got into an altercation with O’Gara on the sidelines during his time with Bordeaux, laughed off the incident with his post-match assessment.

“I was not afraid of the consequences for Benjamin. Ronan O’Gara had only to remove himself (laughs). What do you want me to tell you? There is nothing wicked,” he said.

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Comments

6 Comments
T
TCO 445 days ago

He moved away slowly on purpose. O Gara has a reputation and that background makes this more obvious. Anyway, Urdapilleta shouldn’t have pushed him afterwards, now he looks bad. Better if he had just jumped for the ball

D
David 445 days ago

Lol, O'Gara has definitely done that deliberately. You can see him watching the ball and staying exactly where he is.

R
Rob 445 days ago

You can see it how he probably saw it in the heat of the moment that the slow walk doesn’t look good but way too big an overreaction, citing commission really needs to get in and sort this out, can’t allow people get away with that

K
KiwiSteve 445 days ago

Looks innocent enough by O'Gara, he's two metres from touch and walks away as it falls. You can't have players attacking people off field. The citing committee should come down hard. Players are supposed to set a good example for children and grass roots rugby. Don't nip it in the bud it will invade the game.

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