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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Johnny Sexton v Ronan O'Gara tunnel clash probe as wider claims of 'disrespect' emerge

Champions Cup bosses will wait for final referee Jaco Peyper's report before deciding on a course of action over a half-time row between La Rochelle and Leinster.

La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara, Leinster coach Sean O'Brien and Leinster's club captain Johnny Sexton were all involved in an angry exchange at the Aviva Stadium, with O'Brien reportedly trying to stop O'Gara from speaking to Peyper before things got heated.

La Rochelle went on to defend their crown with a 27-26 victory, with O'Gara and his captain Gregory Alldritt later claiming afterwards that the French club had been disrespected.

Player of the match Alldritt had been left frustrated by opposing skipper James Ryan's attitude during the pre-match coin toss.

"He didn't look in my eyes when we shook hands," he said. "He didn't respect me."

EPCR confirmed that they will investigate the half-time incident but the nature of that investigation could hinge on Peyper's report.

"EPCR is aware of reports of an incident at half-time during the Heineken Champions Cup final," it said. "The tournament organiser will be investigating this as soon as practicable."

However, some reports in Ireland suggest that no EPCR officials had seen the incident first-hand, with a suggestion nothing will come of it

The Irish Times report that the alleged altercation may have stemmed from a similar incident last year, with Leinster sources telling the paper that O'Gara had supposedly approached referee Wayne Barnes at half-time during last year's final in Marseille.

As such, it would appear that Leinster had positioned assistant coach O'Brien inside the tunnel near the end of the first-half to stop O'Gara doing the same with Peyper.

Reports vary on what happened next, with Leinster captain Sexton - who was injured for the final - getting involved. The Ireland fly-half also remonstrated with Peyper on the pitch after the full-time whistle.

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