
Share
21st May 2023
10:07pm BST

"Yes, of course," O'Gara replied, "I want to coach Ireland as well but you have got to earn that right."[caption id="attachment_287995" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara, left, and captain Grégory Alldritt during the post match media conference. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
On Saturday night, EPCR as tournament organisers were quick on the draw with a solemn statement - 'EPCR is aware of reports of an incident at half-time during the Heineken Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium and the tournament organiser will be investigating this as soon as practicable. We have no further comment at this time.'First reports that came through placed injured Leinster captain Johnny Sexton and La Rochelle lock Will Sexton on the scene, with spiky words exchanged and players and coaches trying to funnel others into the respective changing rooms. One day on and it has been reported in various outlets that the incident was sparked by Leinster's contact coach, former back-row Sean O'Brien, standing sentry by the referee's room, which was adjacent to the Leinster changing room. Ronan O'Gara had approached referee Wayne Barnes at half-time of the 2022 Champions Cup final, sharing some of his observations, and O'Brien was said to have been standing by to prevent a repeat. Barbs were exchanged, from both sides, and a molehill became a mountain. While we await the result of that EPCR investigation, it will be fascinating to note if Johnny Sexton gets a knuckle rap for remonstrating with referee Jaco Peyper on the pitch after the game had ended.
Explore more on these topics: