Clermont challenges Leinster in its lair of the Aviva Stadium for the second day of the Champions Cup. A trip that promises to be perilous to say the least even if the ASM has started the game well. Lacking realism, Clermont competes and stays in the game
19:35 – Turnover for the Jaunards (44′)
Yato scrapes well on the ground and makes a turnover. The Auvergnats quickly looked for the outside before seeing O’Brien commit a forward attack. On the scrum, the ASM recovers a penalty.
19:33 – Pénaltouche for Leinster (43′)
Cullen’s men put pressure on the Clermontois from the start. Pénaltouche to follow at 5 meters but they are still countered by the asemist alignment!
19:32 – Excellent touch from Jauneau (41′)
Behind the return, Jauneau opts for a kick over the top and finds a touch 40 meters from his in-goal. The Irish are blocked in touch.
19:16 – Clermont in contact at the break! (12-7)
After Raka’s opener, Leinster reacted twice to get back into the lead despite a game that was far from flamboyant. While ASM was promised hell, they ultimately only trailed by 5 points at the break at the Aviva Stadium
19:15 – Last Irish chance (40+1′)
The Leinstermen have one last possibility 22 meters from the Clermont goal.
19:14 – Urdapilleta plays the shot badly (39′)
While Clermont had found progress in the axis at 20m, the Argentinian fly-half opted for a poorly executed little kicking game. Tauzin is furious with his teammate. Behind Jauneau concedes a forward move. There was better to do for the ASM!
19:12 – Good scrape from Falgoux (37′)
The left pillar of ASM makes a very good scratch to recover a penalty. Gibson-Park attacks Mr. Pearce and concedes an additional 10 meters. Good touch to follow for Clermont 15 m from the line.
19:10 – Urdapilleta caught by the patrol (36′)
The Argentinian makes a tackle without the ball on Van der Flier who was following the counter initiated by Leinster. The referee did not see this gesture but the replay allows him to reconsider this penalty.
19:09 – Great opportunity for ASM (34′)
The Jaunards have a full center scrum on the opposing 22m line. The Irish benefit from a dropped ball to clear the ball at their feet.
19:07 – Jauneau saves the throw (32′)
While Clermontois plays at the halfway line, Urdapilleta serves Jauneau along the touchline. Cleverly, the Clermont scrum half resists the impact to stay on the pitch.
19:02 – The Irish once again in the Clermont camp (29′)
Ringrose wins his duel over Urdapilleta before serving a teammate after contact inside. Onward leinsterman. On the counter ball, Yato in turn commits a hand fault. We therefore return to a Clermont melee.
19:00 – Leinster punishes Clermont! (26′)
Just a few minutes after this huge opportunity missed by ASM, Leinster, much more realistic, finished in the Clermont goal with Barrett who flattened with force. 12-7 for the Irish in a very intense meeting.
18:57 – What a missed opportunity for ASM!
At 5 meters, Tixeront tries to give after contact for Newsome who commits the forward while the try was made. What ammunition wasted by the Clermontois! Booster ball for the Irish who return to the ASM camp.
18:55 – The Irish reaction! (22′)
After laying siege to the Clermont camp for more than 10 minutes, Leinster finally reacted to get back to 7-7 after a try from Henshaw who had taken advantage of a surplus out wide.
18:52 – Clermont bends but does not break (20′)
At 5 meters, Simone is penalized for putting his hands on the ground when scratching. The Irish insist at 5 meters.
18:51 – Leinster’s effective scrum (19′)
On scrum, the Irish recover a new penalty. Penaltouche for premises at 15 meters.
18:51 – Clermont readjustments (18′)
With the release of Moala, Urdapilleta enters. Simone therefore slides to the center.
18:50 – Moala is stunned (18′)
On a restart from Barrett, who is touching a lot of balls at the moment, the Clermont center takes his opponent’s elbow in the face. The medical staff is at his bedside.
18:47 – Forward not whistled by Mr. Pearce (16′)
On a recovery ball, Barrett commits a forward at the time of reception. Mr. Pearce indicates to continue playing. Off the ground, the Irish brought the ball up by hand before finding a touch on the Asemist 22 meters.
18:45 – Clermont just defends (14′)
For a few minutes, Leinster has been laying siege to the Clermont camp. At the end of the line Turner looks for the shift but falls on Raka who was riding strong. The winger commits a forward move. ASM melee on its 22 meters.
18:43 – Tixeront high plate (12′)
On Turner, Tixeront makes a high tackle. The opportunity for Cullen’s men to come and play at 5 meters. Things are heating up for the people of Clermont!
18:41 – Superb contest from Lee!
5 meters away from his goal, Lee puts his hands in the ruck to recover a penalty. Simone can’t find the key behind it. Recovery ball for the Irish.
18:39 – Leinster free kick (9′)
The Clermontois pack takes time to get into place in the scrum, result, free kick in favor of the Irish who Gibson-Park quickly plays in the center of the field.