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The last time ASM Clermont Auvergne came to Sandy Park they went home with their tail well and truly between their legs. - 14/10/2016 13:43
The last time ASM Clermont Auvergne came to Sandy Park they went home with their tail well and truly between their legs.
Exeter Chiefs sent them packing with sensational bonus-point, 31-14, victory that eventually led to them breaking out of their Pool for the first time in the Champions Cup. Can lightening strike twice?
The two architects of Clermont’s downfall on that never-to-be-forgotten day for Chiefs fans are back in the starting XV for round one. Gareth Steenson kicked 14 points in the famous win and No 8 Tom Waldrom scored two of the home side’s four tries.
At least Clermont, who currently head the TOP 14 table, will know what to expect this time. They will also be determined to make amends for that defeat as they attempt to re-boot their quest to win the top title in European club rugby.
“A win in your first game is pretty important. There are only six rounds of games and, as we saw last season, not getting a point at the Ospreys put us on the back foot immediately,” said Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter.
“You have to fly into your first couple of fixtures to give yourself and chance of being a leader, rather than a chaser. We will focus on being a leader after these two rounds, although that will be a huge challenge – but why not set ourselves a huge challenge? That is what the Champions Cup is all about.”
While the Chiefs have the priceless memory of that home win last season to refer to ahead of the game, Clermont have three wins over their hosts to reflect on from previous seasons. They will also arrive in a rich vein of form, having lost only once in the first eight rounds of the TOP 14 to lead by four points.
Match Facts
- The two clubs have met four times previously with Clermont winning three times and Exeter once.
- Clermont scored over 40 points in each of their three victories, restricting the Chiefs to 12 points or fewer.
- Exeter have won their last three home games in the Champions Cup, their best run in the competition.
- Exeter averaged 19 minutes and 59 seconds per game in possession last season, longer than any other side.
- * Clermont had the joint best goal kicking success rate in last season’s competition, landing 84% (27/32) of their shots at goal (level with Ulster).
Top 14 leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne served up a five star performance to avenge their Sandy Park defeat in last season's Champions Cup and kick-off their Pool 5 campaign with a bonus point victory. - 16/10/2016 19:32
Top 14 leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne served up a five star performance to avenge their Sandy Park defeat in last season’s Champions Cup and kick-off their Pool 5 campaign with a bonus point victory.
The Chiefs had not only beaten the two-time finalists 31-14 at home last year, but also pipped them to the quarter-final spot from their pool. This time they were never at the races.
Despite taking a seventh minute lead with the wind at their backs through a Gareth Steenson penalty, the Chiefs conceded three tries in the first-half and a further two after the break as they were made to wait 73 minutes before finally adding to their early score.
There were two tries from French centre Wesley Fofana, matching his performance at Sandy Park in his side’s 46-12 triumph, but the physicality of the Clermont pack as the biggest difference between the two teams. They laid the platform and the back line did the rest.
Back row man Julien Bardy scored the first try after 25 minutes as he picked up an inside pas from wing Noa Nakaitaci off his boot laces to score in the left corner. Morgan Parra added a magnificent touchline conversion.
Once they got their noses in front the Frenchmen never looked back. Forwards coach Jonno Gibbes revealed they had opted to play into the wind to try to stop the Chiefs getting ahead in the opening quarter and their plan worked perfectly.
Nakaitaci was next to score as he profited from a break into the home 22 by Camile Lopez and then Fofana grabbed a third try two minutes before the break. Parra converted both tries and Clermont led 21-3 at half-time.
The second half saw former England full back Nick Abendanon bring up the bonus point for the visitors with a thrilling try at the posts after some magnificent off-loading. Parra added the simple conversion and the strength of the French team’s defence kept on squeezing mistakes out of the Chiefs and frustrating them.
It meant Fofana was able to slice through the hoe midfield to cross for his second try at the posts following a scrum five and Pato Fernandez’ conversion made in 35-3. The Chiefs were down, but not quite out.
To their credit they kept on playing and were rewarded with an 80th minute try from Sam Hill. The conversion attempt from Henry Slade summed up the home performance as it headed off somewhere towards the far corner flag.
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