Clermont 40 Leicester 30:LEICESTER SUFFERED an emphatic Heineken Cup defeat after Clermont secured a bonus-point success at Stade Marcel Michelin yesterday. A late Leicester flurry amid the snow showers – converted tries for centre Anthony Allen, outhalf Toby Flood and substitute Jeremy Staunton – could not disguise Clermont's dominance.
And such was the French club’s control, they will be favourites for a repeat Pool Three victory in next Saturday’s Welford Road return fixture. Leicester, European champions in 2001 and 2002 and five-time Heineken finalists, are now three points off the pace being set by Clermont and the Ospreys.
Clermont turned up the heat on a freezing afternoon, scoring tries through wing Napolini Nalaga (two), flanker Alexandre Lapandry, scrumhalf Morgan Parra and lock Jamie Cudmore. Outhalf Brock James kicked 12 points and fullback Anthony Floch dropped a goal, while Leicester conjured three tries during the closing 10 minutes and three Flood penalties.
It was the first time in Heineken Cup history Leicester conceded 40 points, and defeat next weekend would nudge them perilously close to the exit door. They rallied during the closing stages, outscoring Clermont 21-5 after being 35-9 adrift, but it was too late. Leicester frantically searched for two losing bonus points, and one final counter-attack almost produced it.
Clermont suffered a late blow when their Argentinian international prop Martin Scelzo was sidelined through illness, so Davit Zirakashvili deputised. Leicester, meanwhile, were without Harry Ellis, Geordan Murphy and Julian White, but they still arrived with a dozen internationals.
James and Flood exchanged penalties during a lively opening, yet Leicester’s blindside defence was quickly exposed as Clermont struck through a brilliantly-executed attack. Lapandry gathered wing Julien Malzieu’s off-load, and then linked superbly with Floch before crossing unopposed. James added the conversion, giving Leicester an early reminder of what they were up against as Clermont dominated possession and looked to move it wide.
And the situation soon worsened for the Tigers, despite Flood booting a second penalty. Nalaga, roaming off his wing in midfield seeking an opportunity to run at Leicester, made no mistake when the chance arose as he smashed through a weak tackle by New Zealand centre Aaron Mauger. It was a poor effort by the former All Blacks star, and he could only look on as James converted to give Clermont a 17-6 lead. Flood completed his penalty hat-trick 10 minutes before the break, just about keeping Leicester in contention, but that three-pointer was rapidly cancelled out by a Floch drop-goal.
The Tigers looked a comfortable second-best and Clermont deservedly added a third try on the stroke of half-time. Nalaga was again Leicester’s tormentor, rounding off a superb spell of pressure and off-loading, and Tigers could have no complaints about an alarming 25-9 interval scoreline. A James penalty and Parra touchdown took Clermont out of sight, but a bizarre second period ended with Leicester pushing for the losing bonuses. Allen, Flood and Staunton breached Clermont’s defence. Such a positive finish will give them hope for next weekend.
CLERMONT AUVERGNE: Floch, Nalaga, Rougerie, Canale, J. Malzieu, James, Parra, Domingo, Ledesma, Zirakashvili, Cudmore, Privat, White, Lapandry, Bonnaire. Replacements: Lavae for Canale (65), Williams for James (78), Senio for Parra (64), Faure for Domingo (73), Wepener for Ledesma (75), Debaty for Zirakashvili (63), Pierre for Privat (66), Vermeulen for Lapandry (36).
LEICESTER: Hamilton, Tuqiri, Allen, Mauger, Tuilagi, Flood, Grindal, Stankovich, Davies, Castrogiovanni, L. Deacon, Parling, Newby, Moody, Crane. Replacements: Staunton for Mauger (60), B. Youngs for Grindal (46), Ayerza for Stankovich (41), Chuter for Davies (52), Kay for L. Deacon (66), B. Deacon for Moody (61). Not Used: Cole, J Murphy.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
