Clermont Calling

3rd December 2014 By Munster Rugby

Check out the stats as Munster prepare to host Clermont Auvergne in Round 3 of the European Champions Cup at a sold out Thomond Park on Saturday – KO 5:30pm.

A Saturday evening under lights and a 25,600 sell out provides the perfect backdrop for another memorable European atmosphere at Thomond Park as Munster welcome the much decorated Clermont Auvergne to Limerick. Former French Top 14 champions, twice European Challenge Cup winners and runners up in the 2012/13 Heineken Cup Final (one point defeat to Toulon), the Frenchmen currently lie second in the Top 14 table.

Munster and Clermont share a European pool for the first time since the 2008/09 season – back then both sides won their respective home ties. However the teams most recently met at the semi-final stages of the 2012/13 Heineken Cup, when, following an epic battle in Montpellier, Clermont took the spoils 16-10. A year and a half later and the meeting of these two European greats still makes for a mouth-watering encounter.

This weekend sees Munster defend a clean sweep of European victories over French sides in Limerick. Back in 1997, Bourgoin were the first to lose at Thomond Park with Johnny Lacey from Tipperary scoring the only try of a close game.

However Anthony Foley’s charges will need to be at their very best if they are to maintain that record this weekend as the current form guide of Clermont makes for intimidating reading.

The Frenchmen are one of just four clubs in Champions Cup and Heineken Cup history to have a winning record over Munster (won 3, lost 2).

After 12 rounds of the Top 14, eight wins (including three on the road) sees Clermont lie second on the table, just one point behind the mighty Toulon (present European and French champions), who edged a very competitive contest between the sides last weekend.

With a bonus point defeat (30-23) away to Saracens in Round 1 of the Champions Cup, they recovered well to neutralise the threat of Sale Sharks (buoyed by an impressive display against Munster in Round 1) 35-3 on home soil the following weekend.

Strong defence has also seen Franck Azema’s men concede the least number of points in the Top 14 (209), while their attacking prowess has seen them join Toulouse as the joint top try scoring team of the Champions Cup to date (6).

Azema can also call on a wealth of international talent, six of which featured in last month’s autumn internationals for their respective countries – Benjamin Kayser, Damien Chouly, Camille Lopez, Wesley Fofana (Le Guépard – The Cheetah) and Sebastien Vaahamina of France, together with Jonathan Davies of Wales. Bear in mind that’s not including household names such as Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Bonnaire and Zach Guildford.

French international out half Camille Lopez is Clermont Auvergne’s top points scorer (94) so far this season, Napolioni Nalaga is the top try scorer (6, including a brace against Sale in Round 2), while Man of the Match against Sale, Nick Abendanon, so far has most metres gained by any player in the Champions Cup with 222 m.

The experience of Jono Gibbes – former Leinster Forwards Coach, now in Clermont – will also provide the Frenchmen with insight into the Irish psyche, especially as he is the only member of the Clermont playing and coaching setup to have won in Limerick, doing so on three occasions in his time with Leinster.

After winning his first senior international cap during last month’s Guinness Series and having just signed a two year contract extension with the province, Munster’s Dave Foley discussed the serious quality across the ranks of Clermont, including the aforementioned Bonnaire.

“Bonnaire is an incredible line out operator, he’s good around the field, their scrum, they are a good mauling side and they are very physical so we are expecting a real good battle up front. Their backs are obviously quite special as well. They have a lot of household names throughout their back line, they are deadly dangerous”.

While Munster captain Peter O’Mahony is looking forward to playing in front of a sold out crowd at one of European rugby’s most revered cauldrons – Thomond Park.

“Our supporters are brilliant and half 5 on a Saturday doesn’t just suit us, I think it suits them as well and we look forward to having them drive us on.”