- Six weeks of a ban for Ronan O’Gara for official abuse.
- O’Gara received a further two-week suspension.
- La Rochelle leads the French premier division.
Ronan O’Gara, the head coach of La Rochelle, received a six-week suspension for disrespecting a referee during his team’s 23-21 Top 14 victory over Lyon earlier this month.
The event was of a “greater degree of gravity,” according to the Top 14’s disciplinary commission.
O’Gara, a legendary player for Ireland, received a further two-week suspension, however his admission of guilt offset that punishment.
After three games, La Rochelle leads the French premier division.
In April 2021, O’Gara was given the opportunity to take over as the club’s head coach after Jono Gibbes left for Clermont. In his debut season in command, he led La Rochelle to the Champions Cup victory, defeating longtime rivals Leinster in the final in Marseille.
O’Gara, 45, was under investigation by French top-flight officials in April following an altercation with Christophe Urios of Bordeaux-Begles on the touchline.
Both men were not penalized for their disagreement.
O’Gara participated in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 tours of the British and Irish Lions while earning 128 caps for Ireland. Prior to serving as attack coach for Crusaders of New Zealand’s Super Rugby league, he spent nearly five years as an assistant coach with Paris club Racing 92.
In 2019, he joined La Rochelle as a coach under Gibbes, the rugby director.
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