La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara banned for six weeks

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara has been handed a six-week ban for disrespecting a match official in the recently concluded Top 14 game against Lyon.

O'Gara, who guided the French club to a Champions Cup title on his first season in charge was investigated after a touchline confrontation with Bordeaux-Begles counterpart Christophe Urios.

The 45-year-old was handed a six week ban with an additional two games added for his previous disciplinary record. However, the suspension was reduced back into six weeks taking into account his guilty plea and other mitigating factors.

“Mr Ronan O’Gara has been found responsible of ‘action against a match official’ and more particularly of ‘disrespecting the authority of a match official," read a statement.

“It is on the higher degree of the scale of gravity, meaning a suspension of 6 weeks.

“After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his disciplinary record), the penalty was increased by two weeks.

“After taking into account the mitigating circumstances (acknowledgement of guilt, conduct before and during the hearing), the sanction was reduced by two weeks.

“Mr. Ronan O’Gara is suspended for six weeks. Consequently, Mr. Ronan O’Gara’s suspension will end on October 31, 2022.”

La Rochelle currently are at the top of the table with three wins from as many games and they will be taking on Clermont next on 26th September.