The EPCR, organizer of the Champions Cup, has launched an investigation into two incidents that marred the final between Leinster and Stade Rochelais two weeks ago in Dublin. The first, at half-time, concerns a short scuffle between Ronan O’Gara, the Irish manager of the Maritimes, and Sean O’Brien, member of the staff of the province, and Johnny Sexton, the injured opener and forfeited for this match. The tone would have risen for about thirty seconds between the three men before the second Australian line from La Rochelle, Will Skelton, put an end to it with authority.
The second incident comes after the final whistle and the coronation, on the wire, of Stade Rochelais (27-26). On TV, we see Johnny Sexton rushing towards the referee of the meeting, the South African Jaco Peyper, and his two assistants. The South African newspaper Rapport has obtained a video that says more about the terms used by the Irish star.
He would have struck Jaco Peyper “you’re a fucking disgrace” (“you’re a bitch … shame”) and a few other swear words of the same ilk. If these insults were proven – according to Report, Mr. Peyper attested to this and the EPCR will question the assistant referees, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley to have confirmation.
Sexton is facing a suspension for ‘verbally assaulting a Match Official’. The duration of this will depend on his participation in the preparation matches for the World Cup, or even in the first meetings of this one.
