Leinster roar back to overwhelm Clermont in Champions Cup opener
Leinster came from behind to beat Clermont Auvergne 48-23 in France and open their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a statement.
The four-time European champions trailed 16-15 at half-time at Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand on 17 October. Then they cut loose. Leinster scored freely after the break to seal a bonus-point win in this Pool 1 Round 1 tie, pulling clear in the second period to leave the home crowd quiet, BBC Sport reported.
It finished with seven tries on the board. That matters because teams collect a bonus point — an extra point in the pool table — for scoring four tries or more.
Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan (twice), Sam Prendergast, Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien all touched down. The other score was a penalty try, which is seven points awarded automatically when illegal play stops a certain try, with no kick needed.
Prendergast was the metronome. The fly-half finished with 16 points in total, guiding Leinster around the field and keeping the scoreboard ticking after the interval.
Clermont had started full of bite. Wing Joris Jurand and Mathys Belaubre scored their tries, while Harry Plummer added two conversions — the kicks taken after a try — and three penalties. For half an hour, that was enough to lead one of Europe's great club sides.
Referee Matthew Carley had plenty to manage as the contest swung. Clermont's physical start tested Leinster at the contact area, the battle for the ball on the ground after a tackle. Leinster handled it better the longer the game went on.
Fitness told. Leinster's carriers kept coming in waves. Clermont faded.
What makes this stand out is the venue. Stade Marcel-Michelin is one of the loudest, toughest away trips in club rugby. To concede the lead there, then win by 25 points, takes control and nerve.
For fans, this means Leinster are up and running in the hunt for a fifth European title. It is only Round 1 of the pools, EPCRugby noted, but an away bonus-point win is exactly the start coaches want.
