La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara will face a Top 14 disciplinary hearing just days before his side’s Champions Cup opener against Leinster at Stade Marcel Deflandre on December 10.
La Rochelle, the Top 14 side, and the Irish province will clash in their Champions Cup pool opener, but the current European champions could be without the Cork native for the crucial match in France.
Former Ireland out-half O'Gara was reported by the match officials for his behaviour during La Rochelle’s Top 14 loss to Racing 92 last Sunday.
O'Gara is set to learn his fate on December 6, four days before the Leinster tie. He will meet a disciplinary hearing to determine the outcome, where another ban could be imposed.
“Following the above-mentioned match [Racing 92 v Stade Rochelais], the match officials appointed for this meeting reported the behaviour of Mr. Ronan O’Gara, coach of Stade Rochelais,” reads a statement from the LNR.
“The situation in question is likely to constitute an infringement of the General Regulations of the LNR and the FFR.
La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara to face a Top 14 disciplinary hearing on 6 December, days before his side's clash with Leinster in the Champions Cup.
O'Gara reported by match officials for behaviour in La Rochelle's clash with Racing 92.
O'Gara not suspended pending the hearing.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 29, 2023
“Mr. Ronan O’Gara and Stade Rochelais are summoned before the Disciplinary Commission and regulations at its meeting of December 6, 2023.
“Mr. Ronan O’Gara is not suspended pending this hearing.”
O'Gara has also served four touchline bans for altercations with match officials over the years. The Cork man received a 10-game ban handed to him in November of last year for his comments where he said the officials were “harming the best interests of rugby.”
A six-week ban followed, where he was cited for a “lack of respect” and “action against an official” in another Top 14 game.
An earlier suspension of two weeks for “showing disrespect to the authority of an official” during another clash, as well as a separate two-week ban for “indiscipline” and “challenging the decisions of officials” in a match against Racing 92, have also been placed on the former Ireland hero.
