French champions Clermont Auvergne opened their Heineken Cup account with an impressive win over Saracens.

Clermont outscored their English opponents by three tries to one, with Jamie Cudmore, Julien Malzieu and Napolioni Nalaga all touching down for the hosts.

Canadian Lock Cudmore got the opening score after ten minutes with Morgan Parra adding the extras.

Derek Hougaard kicked Saracens’ first points with a simple penalty.

The home side extended their advantage with French winger Malzieu touching down for an unconverted try which gave Clermont a 12-3 lead at the break.

Saracens struck back early in the second half through David Strettle. The England winger touched down and Houggard converted to bring the scores to within one point.

From that point onward it was one way traffic, Parra extended Clermont’s lead with two penalties before Nalaga scored the third try as the full time whistle approached.

Parra was again on form with the boot, adding the conversion.