Go marching on: Clermont
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Leinster's 17-match unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup came to an end at Marcel Michelin as Clermont edged to a 15-12 Pool victory on Sunday.
The French side's success means they now stretch their home record to 51 games and also extend their advantage in Pool 5 to five points.
Leinster now must regroup before les Jaunards arrive in Dublin for the return fixture next Saturday, with a home win now imperative for the holders.
There were no tries in the game while only three points were scored in the second-half as it had the feel of an arm-wrestle between two giants.
In the end it was a smart drop from Brock James on 39 minutes that proved the difference as both Jonathan Sexton and Morgan Parra struck four penalties apiece in the closely-fought contest.
Parra gave Clermont a 9-6 lead by the half-hour mark with three shots at goal while his Leinster counterpart Sexton - playing his 100th competitive game for the Irish province - knocked over two.
Ireland international fly-half Sexton pulled his side level in the 33rd minute as Leinster dominated the game in an fine spell of patient rugby without being able to turn it into tries.
Referee Nigel Owens was then forced to give the two captains a warning that he would be forced to bin players soon with the number of infringements taking place in the teams 22.
It was from a resulting offence that Parra restored the hosts lead with another penalty for 12-9 and fly-half James dropped a goal on the stroke of half-time to give Clermont a 15-9 lead.
Sexton reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute as Leinster dominated again, but still came up short in crossing the line - replacement hooker Richardt Strauss not helping with three terrible throws at line-outs close to the Clermont line.
That was the only score in the half as the match somewhat failed to live up to its billing.
The scorers:
For Clermont:
Pen: James 4
Drop: James
For Leinster:
Pen: Sexton 4
Clermont: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Aurélien Rougerie (c), 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Brock James, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Vincent Debaty.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Raphael Chaume, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Julien Pierre, 20 Julien Bardy, 21 Ludo Radosavljevic, 22 David Skrela, 23 Regan King.
Leinster: 15 Ian Madigan, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Gordon D'Arcy, 12 Andrew Goodman, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Issac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Damien Browne, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Fionn Carr, 23 Andrew Conway.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Sean Brickell (Wales), Jonathan Mason (Wales)
Television match official: Derek Bevan (Wales)
Timekeeper: Daniel Gillet (France)
Comments
Toulousain says...
Bravo leinster_goy and all you blue fans out there. I'm amazed I am saying this, but ASM could easily have lost, right? Maybe it's because I am familiar with their attacking plays, but I was not on the edge of my seat when ASM had the ball (except maybe Sivi), even at the end. When Leinster had the ball, though, that was a different story! What lines. What ambition. What talent. What temperament to always try to play. Although they made very few actual line breaks, it "felt" like they were making them all the time. (That said, what professionalism also when ASM had the ball - Leinster were not about to let ASM "play" - and lots of talking to the ref as usual)
Anyhow, if ASM think they can go to Dublin and expect to defend for 80, Schmidt, Sexton and the men in blue will eat them alive!
Both teams deserve to survive from this pool methinks.
:-)
Posted 18:03 09th December 2012
Danatthecorner says...
It was a bitty game really where Clermont played pretty badly, knocked on every time they got in behind Leinster yet still just about deserved to win the game. Leinster played really well, some smart rugby from inexperienced guys in the backs.
Next week, I'm not sure how much home advantage counts. Clermont have been to Dublin 3 times in the last 3 years or so and been right in the game every single time, denied by errant kicking. It'll be another tight one I'm sure but I think Les Jaunards will shade it again.
Posted 17:57 09th December 2012
Rosbif says...
Wow, what a game, what intensity, thought Leinster could have sneaked it, or at least got a draw!!
What is clear beyond any doubt (if there was ever any?) is that Schmidt is far superior to Cotter. Less money to spend, worse injury list, but infinitely better team preparation.
That said, I thought Clermont played one of their worse games of the season so far, and Leinster (from what I have seen on TV of their season so far) played probably their best game. Who is this man McFadden? I had not really heard much about him, but what spirit! Also,the Leinster front row (Mike Ross!!) need to be complimented. Here in France we rarely see the ASM pack get pushed backwards. Debaty looked a defeated man when he came off!
How tired will the bodies be next week. 6 days to recover. Maybe the bigger ASM squad will take its advantage with fresher players? Or maybe Aviva will be a fortress like SMM...... Can't wait.....
ALLEZ both teams!!!
Posted 17:51 09th December 2012
3in4 says...
@lyhel
Apart from that clear break in the 6th minute when Madigan ran an excellent inside line and cut the Clermont defence in two. If Sexton had support, it would have been a try. But other than that, your recollection is good.
Posted 17:49 09th December 2012
froggy73 says...
I think we will see a more open game next week.
Leinster came with a game plan of pick-and-drive-and get penalties for Sexton. That was well executed and they really could have won the game that way.
Clermont seemed more worried not to lose than anything else (they tried to inject some pace, but somehow something was missing everytime).
Next week should be a cracker. Leinster will have to win and will throw everything they have in the tank. Clermont will have nothing to lose really and should play more freely.
Anyway, tense game today and both teams deserve to go through.
Posted 17:28 09th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
brutal, bruising, what a contest! once again, we absorbed early pressure from clermont, then we stepped it up and had them totally rattled. for the entire 3rd quarter and large parts of the final 20, les jaunards were clueless. in the semi we rammed home the advantage because we had Drico and Robbo. this time, we lacked just that little extra spark in the backline to turn it into a glorious win. other top european teams take note: this clermont team are beatable. they don't like it up 'em
our lineout execution was really poor when it mattered. but no need for "what ifs" at this stage - let's celebrate a magnificent forward performance. Heaslo, Seany, Cullers, Lockers...IMMENSE. HEROIC
by the way, there was some shocking home town officiating in this match (nalaga clearly fumbled that ball into touch. is the assistant blind?!). to be expected though it suppose with the intimidation the officials are subjected to in stade marcel michelin
all in all, this performance should put the rest of europe on notice. if you think we're gonna surrender our cup easily, you're deluded. provided the injuries ease, we could go to any ground in the quarters and get a win - ulster, toulon, toulouse, harlequins...doesn't matter. 2nd best runner-up? we'll take that
as for a 5-0 victory next week? improbable...but then again: IN SCHMIDTY WE TRUST
just like after every time Leinster play clermont, i'm now going to have a lie down
Posted 17:22 09th December 2012
mcdb06 says...
I reckon Heaslip should play openside. Unreal at the breakdown, slows ball down, massive amount of turnovers. Move O'Brien to 8, better ball carrier
Posted 17:14 09th December 2012
Iyhel says...
That was probably tougher than most test matches we saw last month!
If it wasn't for poor handling Clermont would have far more convincingly, they broke the Irish seven or eight times only to butcher it - while Leinster didn't get a single clear break. I hope this bonus point given to Leinster doesn't come back and haunt them in the end.
Posted 17:10 09th December 2012
ashley71 says...
o'brien will probably play at 6 as ferriss is going to miss the 6N...
Posted 17:08 09th December 2012
melkdave says...
That was some match,could have gone either way imo,but somehow Clearmont just dont lose thereThought SOB was imense,and imo should play 8 for Ireland in the 6Ns and Heslip can go pose somewhere.
Posted 16:57 09th December 2012