O'Gara gets six-week ban for 'disrespecting' match official

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara has been handed a six-week touchline ban after 'he disrespected the authority of a match official’ in a recent game against Lyon in the Top 14.

The 45-year-old was sanctioned for his behaviour during La Rochelle's 23-20 victory over Lyon a fortnight ago.

The head coach, who was also banned for two weeks last season after, was deemed by authorities of ‘disrespecting the authority of a match official’.

"It is on the higher degree of the scale of gravity, meaning a suspension of 6 weeks," the official LNR statement read.

"After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his disciplinary record), the penalty was increased by two weeks.

"After taking into account the mitigating circumstances (acknowledgment of guilt, conduct before and during the hearing), the sanction was reduced by two weeks."

O’Gara took over as La Rochelle head coach in 2019 and his team sit top of the Top 14 standings after three wins from three.