Sole questions choking allegation

Former Scotland captain David Sole has accused Ireland of creating a “smokescreen” after Ronan O’Gara was allegedly choked during Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan claimed after Ireland’s 19-18 victory that an unnamed Scotland player throttled O'Gara, forcing the Munster fly-half to lose consciousness.

Scotland issued an immediate denial that any wrongdoing took place and citing commissioner Brian Fowler is currently reviewing television footage of the incident.

Sole believes the allegation could have been made to mask the fact that O’Gara was concussed – which would dictate medically he could play no part in this weekend’s crucial RBS Six Nations clash in Italy.

Legendary Scotland prop Sole, who played a key role in wresting the Grand Slam from England in 1990, said: “I’ve spoken to someone who is very close to the Scotland squad and the players are very upset with the allegation that has been made.

“I suspect it could be a smokescreen for the fact that Ronan O’Gara was actually concussed, and he'd therefore miss the final match of the Championship. That would clearly not be good news for Ireland, so whether that is a smokescreen or not remains to be seen.

“I’ve played in situations myself where players have been concussed and they’ve been asked to leave the field holding their shoulder to make sure that they don’t suffer the three weeks out that is compulsory after suffering from concussion.

“Certainly the guys in the Scotland squad are very upset at the accusations which have been levelled at them – and I can understand why.”

O’Gara went down with six seconds remaining after a heavy tackle by Scottish forward Nathan Hines.

The fly-half finished under a pile of bodies, including that of his Munster team-mate John Hayes.

At the final whistle Hayes was seen putting O’Gara in the recovery position and gesturing for help.

He remained on the ground for more than two minutes while a doctor treated him before walking shakily from the pitch.

Sole added: “It would have been possible for O’Gara to be concussed and to have swallowed his own tongue, and that could have caused it, rather than anyone deliberately throttling him. That’s the most extraordinary thing and if you were going to do it, why would you do it on the final whistle?

“What would be the motivation for doing it then when there is literally seconds remaining and you’re driving to get the ball back to win the game? It’s a very bizarre allegation to make and if it’s true then that player shouldn’t be playing rugby – but I don’t for one minute believe it to be true.

“It’s important that the citing commissioner reviews all of the television footage leading up to O’Gara being unconscious to see if there was a collision, which could have caused a concussion – or indeed if this allegation of foul play has an element of truth to it.”