Ronan O’Gara squares off with opposition coach in heated Top 14 rugby clash

Ronan O’Gara was involved in a tense encounter with rival boss Christophe Urios during a thrilling game between La Rochelle and Bordeaux Begles .

La Rochelle and Bordeaux Begles are going to become very familiar with each other in the month of April, as they will face off  3 weeks in a row starting from last night.

It seems as though their coaches took this familiarity literally however. During the Top 14 match in Bordeaux yesterday evening, Ronan O’Gara and Christophe Urios got engaged in a touchline altercation ending with the latter “slapping” the Irishman. 

Christophe Urios and Ronan O'Gara
⚔️🔥 #UBBSR #TOP14 pic.twitter.com/rpIaXN289c

— Ottavio Arenella (@OttavioArenella) April 2, 2022

The game was full of tension from the first whistle and as half time approached, O’Gara celebrated a pivotal moment for La Rochelle, by punching the air and shouting towards the Bordeaux Begles’ bench. 

It was clear that Urios took offence to his opponents reaction as he turned around and confronted O’Gara. The two coaches then went face to face, before, as French website RMC described, Urios tried to slap O’Gara. Christophe Urios also described O’Gara as “Unbearable” during the heated exchange.

The actions of the two coaches only added to the tension of the pulsating encounter. 

Despite not scoring a try, second placed Bordeaux edged the first half, going in at the break 12-10 up. After Danty and Rule had scored tries for the visitors. 

Urios’ men had thought they sealed the victory with only 4 minutes to go when Lucu’s penalty made the score 15-13. However, in keeping with the game’s dramatic theme, La Rochelle stole the win from Bordeaux with a penalty in the 82nd minute. 

🥳 Héroïques et solidaires, dans un match à haute intensité, les Jaune et Noir s'imposent après la sirène sur la pelouse de l'@UBBrugby, grâce à une pénalité de Ihaia West !!! 😍#UBBSR #Top14 #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/cK40iDfMiH

— Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) April 2, 2022

The result means that La Rochelle are now 3rd in the Top 14, only one place behind Bordeaux Begles. 

The actions of the coaches and the intensity of the game, makes their champions cup games against one another over the next two weeks mouth watering for rugby fans.