While they opened the scoring, the Clermontois were quickly joined by the Leintser. The Irish then went in front before managing the match against the eye-catching Auvergnats (15-7). The Leinstermen leave a precious bonus point on the way.
For its reunion with the queen of club competitions, Clermont had an appetizer last week, by welcoming Benetton (28-00). This time, the Urios gang had to go through the main course: Leinster. And for this, what better setting than the Aviva Stadium.
At the end of a match lacking in intensity, Leinster, who missed its subject, managed to get by against Clermont (15-7). Thanks to this success, the Irish temporarily take the lead in group 2 with nine points. Clermont remains in second place pending the meetings between La Rochelle – Bristol and Benetton – Bath.
Barrett is already on European time
Coming to test themselves against one of the best teams on the continent, Clermont responded. Leinster, struggling in touch (four munitions lost during the first 40 minutes, and around ten in total), kept the ball without really endangering the Jaunards. Almost during the first attack, Simone made the decision to land a low kick. The latter was countered. Opportunistic, Fouyssac followed well before being caught five meters from the line. Continuing, Raka jumped into the goal (0-7, 6e).
Not at best, Leinster still managed to regain control of this shock by imposing big sequences. After a long action, a double in the center of the field between Deegan and Prendergast allowed Ringrose to be sent into a decisive space (7-7, 23e). On the action that followed, Clermont missed the big shot. Newsome, supporting a turnover, lost control of the ball when flattening. One hundred meters further, during a penalty played manually by Gibson-Park, Prendergast, behind a cell of forwards, sent Barrett to the promised land (12-7, 26e).
Clermont made Leinster doubt
The second half took place at a very slow pace. There were numerous technical errors on both sides. Guilty of a high and delayed tackle on Prendergast, Yato received a warning (48e). To everyone's surprise, with numerical superiority, Leinster opted for points to ward off the Clermont threat (15-7, 49e). These were the last units marked in this part.
From touches to scrums, nothing more happened in this monotonous meeting. The ASM may even harbor regrets at leaving Ireland empty. Doris's gang has long been crumbly, while still remaining serious in the defensive phase. At the start of next year, Clermont will travel to Bath to change its continental adventure. At the same time, Leinster will find a new French club in the person of La Rochelle.
