Leinster: 17-match unbeaten run ended by Clermont
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt was left frustrated by his side's 15-12 Heineken Cup loss to Clermont in France on Sunday.
Clermont ended the two-time defending champions' 17-match unbeaten run in the competition in a gripping encounter.
The French club's win puts them five points clear of the Irish side in Pool Five.
"It is incredibly disappointing. The fact that we've got to try to get ourselves up and forge ahead for next week is going to be tough," said Schmidt.
"We've got a fair few bruised bodies in there. You come to the Marcel Michelin and I think you've got to get over the line.
"You can't just go between the posts and hope to get something here.
"I thought there were a couple of calls that maybe could have gone our way and we could have got something else between the posts.
"But the area that Johnny actually kicked out of when he cross-kicked was very, very heavy and muddy. It's not a guaranteed three.
"We did miss one and they didn't miss any. So that's how close these games are and it is really unfortunate."
Clermont are now undefeated at home in 51 matches and the teams meet again in Dublin next weekend.
"We weren't particularly good in the second half and they were better in the second than the first. We just did enough to stay ahead," said Clermont boss Vern Cotter.
"The game was contested from start to finish very intensely, especially at the breakdown.
"They threw everything at us and I'm pleased that we managed to sneak away with the victory - even if it was a skinny one. It's still four points and I think that will count in the end."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
The Ref needs to be harsher with cynical play in dublin. These two sides are seriusly canny and it wasn't that the attacking sides didn't have a go. its just ball killing was unpunished early on and the teams played the Ref.
This match could've been better.
Posted 09:24 11th December 2012
froggy73 says...
@Lacroix: even if you are a Toulouse (like me) or Toulon or whichever team supporter, please don't tell me you are neutral on this one :(
Posted 08:36 11th December 2012
lacroix says...
well, clermont didnt exactly have a stellar day in the line out, their scrum was below par and every time (and there were quite a few) they got a line break and were looking dangerous in leinsters 22 they knocked on....meanwhile clermont received at least as many questionable rubs of the green and/or inconsistent calls from owens so i don't think leinster can have any complaints (not that that will stop their fans, as usual). if clermont turn up next weekend then leinster will have to play a lot better than this to get a win.
i'm just enjoying the contest as a neutral on this one.
Posted 01:14 11th December 2012
ciaran1792 says...
terrible line out throwing cost us but fair play to Clermont leinster just weren't good enough this time they would want to get their act together.
Posted 17:03 10th December 2012
froggy73 says...
That will please leinster_goy but I must say I respect Schmidt . He is a class coach.
Not sure about the couple of calls that didn't go his team's way, but eh that is something you always hear in any coaches' mouth.
Posted 08:16 10th December 2012