The EPCR, organizer of the Champions Cup, has launched an investigation into two incidents that punctuated the final between Leinster and Stade Rochelais, two weeks ago in Dublin. The first, at half-time, involved a short scuffle between Ronan O'Gara, the Irish manager of the Maritimes, and Sean O'Brien, a member of the provincial staff, 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 Australian second-row of 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 the Stade Rochelais (27-26). On TV, Johnny Sexton is seen rushing towards the referee of the match, 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.
Sexton faces heavy suspension
He allegedly told Jaco Peyper "you're a fucking disgrace" ("you're a put... shame") and a few other swear words of the same ilk. If these insults were proven - according to Report, Mr. Peyper has attested and the EPCR will question the assistant referees, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley to have confirmation.
Sexton faces suspension for "verbal abuse of 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 matches of this one.
