EPCR probe halftime altercation involving O'Gara, Sexton and others

European Skilled Membership Rugby (EPCR) has mentioned that it will likely be investigating an alleged tunnel altercation that occurred throughout the halftime break of the Heineken Champions Cup ultimate between Leinster and Stade Rochelais on the Aviva Stadium.

La Rochelle lifted the cup for the second yr in a row after successful an exciting 27-26 ultimate but it surely appears it was a fixture with loads of dangerous blood behind the scenes.

The Irish Impartial report that coaches and gamers from each groups had been concerned within the incident, which made headlines late on Saturday evening.

Based on stories, the altercation concerned a number of outstanding figures from each camps. Amongst them had been Ronan O’Gara, the previous Munster participant and present director of rugby at Stade Rochelais, Leinster’s injured flyhalf Johnny Sexton, Leinster coach Sean O’Brien, and Stade Rochelais lock Will Skelton. The precise particulars of the incident stays unclear at this level.

The governing physique launched a brief assertion relating to the incident, saying, “EPCR is conscious of stories of an incident at half-time throughout the Heineken Champions Cup ultimate on the Aviva Stadium, and the event organiser will likely be investigating this as quickly as practicable. We’ve no additional remark right now.”

The assertion highlights the seriousness of the alleged altercation and the necessity for a radical examination of the occasions that unfolded.

La Rochelle captain Gregory Alldritt and O’Gara additionally claimed that they’d been disrespected on the coin toss by James Ryan.

“I received phrase of it on the pitch,” mentioned O’Gara in regards to the Ryan incident with Alldritt. “My captain and I’ve a really shut relationship. So weird motion once you go for a toss. Usually you interact eyes, however no eyes had been engaged so Greg was disenchanted, let down.

“There was somewhat little bit of that when it comes to Leinster had been clearly the house workforce, however when it comes to lodging for the household post-match gigs, I believe we’re in Lansdowne – we are able to’t even get a room on this place. You understand, it’s disappointing on that entrance however we have now received to simply accept that we’re seen because the little workforce however that’s about to alter.”

In the meantime, the match itself was a carefully contested affair. Leinster began strongly, with Dan Sheehan crossing the attempt line twice and Jimmy O’Brien as soon as within the early phases, giving the house facet a 17-0 lead. Stade Rochelais fought again valiantly, with Jonathan Danty and UJ Seuteni scoring tries to cut back the deficit. Nevertheless, Ross Byrne’s boot stored Leinster within the lead, and they entered the ultimate quarter with a 26-17 benefit.

The sport took a dramatic flip when Leinster’s Ronan Kelleher was proven a yellow card within the 71st minute. Seizing the chance, Stade Rochelais capitalized on their numerical benefit, with Georges-Henri Colombe Reazel scoring an important attempt within the dying minutes. Antoine Hastoy’s conversion secured a slender 27-26 lead for Stade Rochelais.

Within the ultimate moments, tensions rose, leading to one other yellow card, this time for Stade Rochelais’ Jonathan Danty. The match ended with Michael Ala’alatoa receiving a pink card for Stade Rochelais, including additional drama to an already intense encounter.