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Le dernier choc de cette phase de poule se dispute à Marcel-Michelin et sera décisif pour Clermont ou les Saracens. Le vainqueur s'offre un quart de finale. - 22/01/2015 14:58
Clermont-Auvergne and Saracens put their Champions Cup credentials on the line at a sold-out Stade Marcel Michelin in the Pool 1 decider.
Saracens have won the last two meetings between these sides including a remarkable 46-6 triumph in last year’s semi-final as well as victory at home in round 1 of this season’s campaign.
That semi-final defeat still rankles with Clermont, who top the pool by a point, and once again their cup fate could rest on beating Saracens.
The winner in France will progress to the quarter-finals while every bonus point will be vital with the losers facing elimination from the tournament.
Clermont coach Franck Azema said: “We are looking forward to Sunday. When these big games arrive, the players should not cower. Instead, you have to be excited to deliver a big game.
“We had a good game there [at Saracens] but lost out because we paid heavily for small details. Saracens were pragmatic but it is their strength.
“I’m not surprised by what they build today. They are a big European team, who are used to playing in the semi-finals and final. You cannot play at this level without quality in all your lines. Along with Toulon, they are one of the best teams of the competition.”
Saracens lost their only previous visit to Marcel Michelin but were in imperious form last week against Munster.
Chris Wyles was a late replacement for England wing David Strettle and scored Saracens’ first try that paved the way for an impressive 33-10 victory over the former champions.
Wyles said: “Clermont will be a massive occasion and we can take a lot of confidence from that performance against Munster into the game.
“We know that away at Clermont is a tough as it comes, but it’s definitely exciting times for the club and we’re really looking forward to Sunday.”
Match Facts
- Clermont have won two of the three pool meetings between the sides.
- Both of these sides have scored 12 tries so far this season, while Saracens have conceded just three more points (77) than the Vulcans (74).
- Jamie George has missed just two of his 68 attempted tackles – no other player has made as many successful tackles this season.
- If ASM Clermont Auvergne beat Saracens it would be their 50th win in the tournament.
ASM Clermont Auvergne extended their unbeaten run at home in European matches to 22 games as they avenged their first round defeat at Saracens to clinch a home quarter-final with an 18-6 victory. - 25/01/2015 17:55
ASM Clermont Auvergne extended their unbeaten run at home in European matches to 22 games as they avenged their first round defeat at Saracens to clinch a home quarter-final with an 18-6 victory.
Results earlier in the day meant that both teams went into the game knowing they were in the quarter-finals. The only way Saracens could have missed the cut was if they were beaten by more than 35 points.
That was never likely to happen and so the fight was for the right to host a game in the last eight in April. Clermont’s aggression, and two tries, carried the day and earned them a home game against Northampton Saints, while Saracens now have to visit No 1 seeds Racing Metro in April.
The home side got the scoreboard rolling with penalty from their new French outside half Camille Lopez before one of the forgotten men of English rugby, full back Nick Abendanon, picked a line between Sarries skipper Alastair Hargreaves and Richard Wigglesworth to cross for a try at the posts.
Lopez added the conversion and things were looking grim for the visitors. But Charlie Hodgson managed to cut the gap to four points with two penalties either side of the break and things began to look up.
Clermont lost their giant French lock Sebastien Vahaamahina to the sin-bin at the start of the second half for what looked like a punch on Jacques Burger, but not even that to halt Clermont’s relentless drive to victory.
Saracens scored three points with their one man advantage, but when Dave Strettle was sent to the bin for flooring Abendanon with an illegal shoulder charge it took a minute for the home side to snatch their second try.
Lopez kicked to the corner, Bardy won the line-out and five drives later the replacement prop Vincent Debaty claimed the try. Brock James completed the victory with a late penalty.
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