La Rochelle accuse James Ryan of disrespecting team at coin toss

La Rochelle have accused Leinster second row James Ryan of ‘disrespecting’ the side after a slight at the coin toss prior to today’s Heineken Champions Cup.

The reigning champs fought back from 17 points down to upset the Irish side, ultimately taking out the trophy 27-26, leaving Leinster with nothing to show for a season in which they dominated both the URC on the domestic front and European rugby’s greatest prize.

It’s a case of history repeating itself, with the yellow and blacks foiling the Irish giants once again after last year’s narrow victory in the same fixture.

Despite the joy of the win, La Rochelle  went out of their way in the post match press conference to address what they saw as a disrespectful incident with Ryan – who ultimately had to leave the field after failing a HIA.

Skipper Gregory Alldritt told reporters that ‘I don’t think James Ryan respected me, he didn’t look me in the eyes when we shook hands at the coin toss.”

Ronan O’Gara described the perceived slight as ‘disappointing’ and said he got wind of the incident during the game.

Leinster boss Leo Cullen described the loss as ‘agonizing’.

“Devastation is probably the word,” Cullen told BT Sport. “The occasion, the amazing atmosphere in the crowd, both sets of supporters and two sets of players going full at it – everything you want in a final which goes down to one point. Unfortunately we’re the losers.

“We started the game really well. We could have been further in front. I thought we gave up a couple of softish tries. In the second-half although we had the lead we struggled to get out of that end of the field.

“La Rochelle got over in the end and you’ve got give them a huge amount of credit. Bitterly disappointing.”