Time for Clermont to end heartbreaking run

Editor

Three wins from 17 major finals. Clermont's record when it comes to the big game is an eyesore, make no doubt about it. And yet, there are few clubs loved more in Europe than les Jaunards.

Possessing a fanatical support base who would put a group of Ed Sheeran concert-goers to shame, Clermont's yellow army as we speak will have descended on the Scottish capital, hope renewed yet again.

It has been seven long years since Clermont last lifted a major trophy, hoisting the ever-impressive Bouclier de Brennus shield by defeating Perpignan back in 2010.

Since then there has been both domestic and European pain, the two combining in 2015 when Clermont were sunk by Toulon at Twickenham as Mourad Boudjellal's well-paid superstar squad hit their peak, and then more bizarrely a few weeks later when in a cagey Top 14 final they were edged out 12-6 by Stade Français.

Are Clermont therefore so widely admired out of pity, for their lacklustre return when it comes to trophies? Or is there more to it?

Probably a bit of both. For starters, even in the current state of money-driven professionalism, there is a sense of soul to Clermont unlike most other sides.

They are much more than plucky underdogs and very easy to warm to, based on numerous factors from that absurd unbeaten run at the Stade Marcel Michelin, to the flair displayed over the years by their players from Napolioni Nalaga to the current crop.

Aurélien Rougerie, Montferrand's favourite son, was there for the Top 14 final defeat in 2001 to Toulouse and starts again, this time at centre, 16 years on in the European showpiece. There are few better ambassadors for the entire sport, let alone just French rugby.

The next generation are ready to drive Clermont forward, nowhere more than at lock with the depth of Arthur Iturria, Sébastian Vahaamahina and Paul Jedrasiak.

Damien Penaud, set to come off the bench at Murrayfield, is the 20-year-old star primed to take the club forward just as Rougerie has done for so long.

Then again the entire team assembled to triumph in Edinburgh unquestionably oozes class. Few scrummagers are better than Davit Zirakashvili. And the Fijian forward Peceli Yato has enjoyed a breakout season.

Those who are regular visitors to this publication know how much Rémi Lamerat's calm, clinical approach to the game is admired. Not forgetting the rebirth of Nick Abendanon since his move from Bath and the finishing ability of David Strettle.

Were the opposition on Saturday any other side but Saracens then Clermont would be favourites, especially after Camille Lopez displayed a welcome ruthless streak with those two drop goals to kill of Leinster in the semi-final.

With respect to the Challenge Cup, which Clermont have won twice both in 1999 against Bourgoin and 2007 against Bath, a club this size, and this highly regarded should have more than one top honour in the trophy cabinet.

Saracens boss Mark McCall wasn't wrong; nearly all neutrals will be cheering Clermont on to win at last in this competition at the third attempt.

How a club comes back from multiple defeats like les Jaunards have suffered is worth asking. Money is not a problem, but then nor are Clermont signing up players like Dan Carter for €1.5m a season. Belief and hope cannot be purchased with a cheque.

The signings that are made are done with precision and are not necessarily the flashest names available – look at Strettle and Abendanon – while the talent being churned out of the Espoirs set-up speaks for itself currently with Iturria and Penaud.

Set-piece dominance and goalkicking accuracy are a must to get the better of Saracens at Murrayfield, and neither of those are guaranteed. And had it not been Saracens opposite Clermont on Saturday then McCall and their supporters may well have been cheering them on as well.

Instead it is Saracens' job to spoil the party, which they are more than capable of doing. A Clermont triumph would be if not quite a fairytale, then the feel-good story of the year.

Cup finals, European ones especially, always tend to follow the head over the heart though. This is no place for romantics. Yet what a result it would be for Clermont to come good at long last.

by Ben Coles