Ronan O'Gara was involved in a bizarre touchline confrontation in Saturday evening's Top14 clash between La Rochelle and Clermont.
The incident occurred in the 57th minute of the game, with the two-time reigning European champions leading 10-8. The La Rochelle head coach was in his technical area as one of his own players kicked the ball to touch. Clermont outhalf Benjamin Urdapiletta was attempting to keep the ball in play, and smashed into O'Gara in the process.
The kick ended up landing on O'Gara's head, as the Argentine attempted to catch the ball. Urdapiletta was hardly impressed and pushed O'Gara twice.
💥Il n'y a pas que l'#UFC en ce moment !
Retrouvez le combat Benjamin Urdapiletta🆚 Ronan O'gara !!👊#ASMSR #Top14 #Rugby #YellowArmy #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/a0m6ImYoMG— Le Top14 Pas Officiel (@Top14PasOff) September 2, 2023
A scrap predictably ensued. Referee Luc Ramos determined that the incident only merited a penalty against the Clermont outhalf.
O'Gara was clearly in his own technical area, minding his own business, so it's hard to understand why the Argentine reacted so violently.
Urdapiletta would later kick the game's decisive penalty as Clermont won by a solitary point, 11-10.
'He is clever': Urdapiletta on shoving Ronan O'Gara
Interestingly, Clermont are coached by Christophe Urios, who many will remember squared up to O'Gara on the sideline back in 2022.
After the game, Urdapiletta explained the incident to Canal+, and accused of O'Gara of preventing him from catching the ball. [apologies for the google translated French]
"With adrenaline, I sometimes have a few excesses. He is clever, I think he purposely prevented me to receive the ball. 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, we forget."
Clermont centre Jules Favre said the incident was not deserving of a yellow card when speaking to media after.
"It's a gesture of annoyance. Nothing more. There is no violence, there is nothing."
We liked Simon Zebo's assessment of the incident, as he wondered what would have happened La Rochelle forwards coach Donnacha Ryan was on the touchline.
I wish shkin was pitch side
Night night 🥊😴 https://t.co/fqFVhTYdMS— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) September 2, 2023
It's been a tricky start to the new season for O'Gara and La Rochelle, who've now lost two of three in the Top 14. From this weekend, the French domestic league breaks until the last weekend of October, as the Rugby World Cup takes centre stage in France.
