Ronan O'Gara laughs off Johnny Sexton spat after explosive autobiography excerpt

Sexton's autobiography hits shelves next weekend and he brought up some old beef with foe turned friend Ronan O'Gara.

Ronan O'Gara made sure to laugh off any old beef with Johnny Sexton after the Leinster legend brought up an old spat in his upcoming autobiography.

Sexton is set to lay is all bare when his autobiography hits shelves next Thursday and early excerpts prove it is set to be an explosive read.

One topic Sexton will definitely address is his rivalry with Ronan O'Gara and opened up on a spat between the two during a clash between Leinster and Munster back in 2009.

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There was no love lost between the pair 15 years ago when Sexton made his Ireland debut as the prodigious talent aimed to take away O'Gara's starting spot and the two fly halves clashed during their 2009 match.

"The real flare up started when I went to clear out Lifeimi Mafi after he’d tip tackled Chris Whitaker," Sexton's autobiography reads. With excepts released in the Sunday Times.

“I caught him above the eye with a stud by accident and he retaliated. Fists were thrown. Paul O’Connell was quick on the scene, asking Mafi who’d caused the gash above his eye.

“Suddenly, I have Paulie pointing the finger at me and giving me a mouthful. A scary sight. I squared my shoulders at him, but from a safe distance.

“With Paulie there for protection, O’Gara was also in my face. What the f**k are you doing? I responded by shaping to punch him, just drawing my fist back.

“When he winced, I called him a coward and that really set him off,” he continued. “‘Call me a coward? You’re nothing. You’re useless! A nobody.’

“It soon broke up, but I started his words in a place where they could fester.”

Appearing on Off The Ball AM, O'Gara laughed off the incident and was full of praise for his old rival and teammate.

“When was that? 15 years ago, is it? If you were to ask me honestly what was said, I’ve no idea, you know?”

“You’re talking about a good guy. He’s a good guy. I understand he’s recapping his early days with me, our relationship…all that kind of stuff. I firmly believe he has a good heart.”

The rivalry was short-lived between the pair with Sexton and O'Gara growing close during their time in France with Racing 92. After retiring, O'Gara went to France to kickstart his coaching career while Sexton went for a big money move.

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