Ronan O’Gara gets into heated touchline spat with rival player

Ryan Price

The former Munster and Ireland fly-half didn’t shy away from the altercation.

Ronan O’Gara had a pretty animated encounter with an opposing team player during La Rochelle’s Top 14 game against Toulon last weekend.

The Corkman has been in charge of the French side for five years, and had his fair share of heated moments on the touchline during that time.

Much like he was as a player, O’Gara wears his heart on his sleeve as a coach and isn’t afraid to let his competitiveness show.

Last year, the 47-year-old had a bit of a scrap with Clermont player Benjamin Urdapiletta when the Argentine appeared to believe O’Gara had obstructed his chances of catching a ball.

Urdapiletta shoved O’Gara twice and the La Rochelle man did a good job of keeping his cool on that occasion.

😤Never seen anything so bizarre, no idea how Ronan O’Gara kept his cool, I’m not so sure I’d be that calm. What are your thoughts? @top14rugby pic.twitter.com/DqyaK8cIRe
— Rocky Clark MBE (@RockyClark_1) September 2, 2023

In 2022, O’Gara was handed a six-week touchline ban after writing a list of “unwelcome” complaints to France’s national refereeing director Franck Maciello after his side’s 26-17 defeat at Toulouse.

That was one of a number of disciplinary cases that have contributed to the Munster legend being viewed as a repeat offender in the Top 14 league.

Now, it looks as though the Bishopstown native could be in for another slap on the wrist, after a touchline altercation between him and Toulon wing Gabin Villiere caught the attention of television cameras last weekend.

The incident came midway through the second half when La Rochelle were hanging onto a six-point lead and looking to see out the win.

Villiere booted the ball down the flank before it was intercepted by a La Rochelle player. The attempted kick in return, however, was blocked by the onrushing Villiere.

In the motion of diving to deflect the ball, Villiere fell into touch and spilled out in front of O’Gara and his coaching staff.

O’Gara and Villiere altercation
byu/Large-Brief-8691 inrugbyunion

As he got up, the Frenchman clearly took issue with something said by the Corkman as he instantly turned 180 degrees and began accosting O’Gara.

Villiere then grabbed the former Ireland international before ROG shoved him away. The pair continued to exchange words even as the player trudged back onto the pitch.

In a post-match interview, however, the Toulon star passed off the incident and claimed nothing major had been said by the rival team’s manager.

O’Gara had nothing to say about the altercation, and is likely hoping it’ll be forgotten about and won’t result in another lengthy ban for him.