Blow for O'Gara and La Rochelle as hooker Tolu Latu suspended for Leinster clash

Former Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has picked up a three-week ban.

Wed, 08 Jan, 2025 - 21:21

Shane Donovan

La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara has been dealt another blow ahead of their Champions Cup clash with Leinster at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Sunday.

Former Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has picked up a three-week ban for a dangerous clean out that injured Toulouse scrum-half Simon Daroque in last weekend's narrow Top 14 win over their French and European rivals.

Latu discovered his fate at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday afternoon. The 31-year-old's ban - who has started eight times for La Rochelle this season - means O'Gara will be without two hookers, as he is already shy of the services of French international Pierre Bourgarit, who has been injured since September.

The former Munster man's selection problems don't end there however, with Wallabie lock Will Skelton a doubt and French international centre Jonathan Danty ruled out.

A Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) statement read: “Tolu Latu was found responsible for dangerous play in the context of a ruck or maul: (iv) player falling on another player or colliding with his lower limbs.

“A suspension of four weeks was the entry point. After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (disciplinary record), the sanction was increased by one week.

“After taking into account mitigating circumstances (recognition of the facts, conduct before and during the hearing, expression of remorse), the sanction was reduced by two weeks. Therefore, Latu is suspended for three weeks.”