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Scarlets have raised plenty of eyebrows by topping Pool 4 after the opening two rounds but victory at ASM Clermont-Auvergne would rank among the biggest shocks in Heineken Cup history. - 06/12/2013 01:06
Scarlets have raised plenty of eyebrows by topping Pool 4 after the opening two rounds but victory at ASM Clermont-Auvergne would rank among the biggest shocks in Heineken Cup history.
The Welsh region has already pulled off one momentous win on the road this campaign with a thrilling 33-26 win at Harlequins. And they followed that by sharing the spoils with the pool's other French representatives Racing Metro.
However, head coach Simon Easterby is only too aware that the Stade Marcel-Michelin is the most daunting fortress in European rugby right now. Clermont are unbeaten in their last 67 games at their home ground and have won their last 16 in the Heineken Cup since Sale Sharks won 32-15 there back in October 2008.
Scarlets stunned the French cauldron last year when Jonathan Davies crossed inside five minutes before Morgan Stoddart was sent off and Scarlets eventually succumbed 49-16. Davies will be a Clermont player next season while opposite number Regan King will be heading in the opposite direction to his former club as part of the deal.
The tie has all the makings of a high-scoring classic given the form of both sides. Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland is the current highest points scorer in the Heineken Cup while Scott Williams is among a clutch of players to have twice scored tries already. However, Clermont have won all four previous meetings in the tournament and averaged a staggering 42 points on each occasion.
Scarlets must also find a way of stopping former All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, who beat more players (14) and made more metres (263) than any other player in the opening two rounds. But Clermont head coach Vern Cotter knows that another defeat, following their 13-9 loss to Racing Metro on the opening weekend, could spell the end of their hopes of going one better than last season when they reached a first Heineken Cup Final.
Les Auvergnats sont allés chercher dans les arrêts de jeu un quatrième essai face aux Scarlets qui les lance idéalement vers une qualification en quart de finale (32-11). - 07/12/2013 16:48
ASM Clermont Auvergne extended their remarkable unbeaten home record to 68 matches after overcoming a spirited Scarlets side at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
The home side took the lead through two early penalties from Brock James before returning Welsh international Rhys Priestland pulled the visitors back to 6-3. Clermont dominated a scrappy first-half, but their power was matched by resilient defence and it remained 6-3 going into the break.
The Scarlet’s resistance was finally broken early in the second half when Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore drove over for the first try of the game. Brock James added the conversion.
Jordan Williams put the visitors back in touch at 13-6 with a superb penalty from the half-way line, but the power of the home side began to tell and Fijian wing Napolioni Nalaga raced away for two tries in quick succession to put the game out of sight.
All that ws left for the home side was to finish off with a bonus point, but it didn’t look as though it was going to emerge. Scarlets’ latest Welsh international Rhodri Williams scampered over for a consolation try for the Scarlets after 78 minutes and
it wasn’t until the fifth minute of injury time that the home fans were able to celebrate a full house of points.
The fourth try came from replacement prop Clement Ric and Mike Delany’s conversion made the scoreline look far more comfortable than it actually was. The two teams meet again next weekend at Par y Scarlets.
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