WATCH: Tempers boil over as Ronan O’Gara is shoved in Top 14 sideline scuffle
Ronan O'Gara kept his cool throughout the exchange.
La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara has been caught up in yet another sideline scuffle during the final round of the Top 14 before the Rugby World Cup.
The former Ireland fly-half kept his cool on this occasion as tensions boiled over during the clash between Clermont and La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday evening.
Ronan O’Gara shoved on the touchline
O’Gara and Clermont boss Christophe Urios have had run-ins on the sideline in the past during the latter’s time as Bordeaux’s head coach.
However, this time, it was Clermont fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta and the La Rochelle coach who clashed.
Argentine international Urdapilleta shoved O’Gara twice after the pair collided as the ball crossed into the technical area.
The ball struck the former Ireland pivot on the head as he looked to move out of the way while the Clermont veteran looked to retrieve, seemingly wanting to take the throw quickly.
The Clermont star responded in anger, shoving O’Gara twice.
Benjamin Urdapiletta loses his cool with Ronan OāGara. š³
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 2, 2023
It was a hotly contested fixture as the two clubs battled it out in their final fixture before the Top 14 goes on a break for the World Cup.
Peceli Yato, who ruled himself out of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup campaign, scored the opening try two minutes into the clash, with former Clermont flanker Judicael Cancoriet responding for his new side in the 24th minute.
Dillyn Leyd’s conversion gave La Rochelle a 5-7 lead at the break, but Urdapilleta would edge his side ahead soon after half-time with a penalty.
Leyds responded with one of his own not too long after but missed a penalty on the hour mark to further their lead.
Urdapilleta would have the final say of the match when he slotted a penalty with ten minutes to go to seal the 11-10 victory.
“He did it on purpose”
Speaking after the match, the Clermont fly-half backed up his actions as he felt that O’Gara was intentionally blocking him.
“With the adrenaline, I sometimes have a few excesses but he is smart, I think he did it on purpose to prevent me from receiving the ball,” Urdapilleta told Canal+.
“At the time of the action, we were behind in the score, so it was complicated. But it’s sport, it can happen. Once the match is over, you forget.”
Urdapilleta was not sanctioned for his actions.
The Top 14 will break until Sunday, October 29, the same days as the Rugby World Cup final.
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