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Report | Tigers win first leg in Clermont

Figure image

Leicester Tigers took a first-leg lead in the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stages with a 29-10 win away to ASM Clermont Auvergne on Sunday.

After tries from front-row partners Ellis Genge and Julian Montoya, the scores were tied at 10-10 at half-time in the European Round of 16 contest at the Stade Marcel-Michelin as Tigers fought back from 7-0 and 10-5 down.

The, in the club’s first trip to Clermont since a quarter-final in 2014 and with the return at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Saturday (5.30pm), some big defence and scores from Jack van Poortvliet and Hosea Saumaki took Tigers 10 points in front during the second half.

Then, after Guy Porter had been red-carded following a head contact with Clermont No8 Fritz Lee, and a continued big shift in defence across the pitch, the visitors claimed a fifth try from Harry Potter.

Potter and Saumaki had both been added to the Tigers backline following the league win at Exeter and Cupo triumph over London Irish, while Dan Cole returned to the matchday squad.

After a pre-match tribute to the people of Ukraine, the home team got the game started in a raucous atmosphere in the sunshine, with van Poortvliet involved early after being promoted from the bench following the withdrawal of Ben Youngs with illness.

Freddie Steward needed physio treatment after being grounded by a big tackle in midfield just as Tigers built promising possession but, as they made progress, following a penalty and a free-kick in Tigers’ favour from the first two scrums, a set-piece in a good attacking position went the other way and Morgan Parra fired ball out, the bounce giving his team lineout ball in the visitors’ territory.

George Ford had to react quickly to collect a chipped kick in front of the Tigers posts, but the whistle went to Clermont again for an offside. This time they went for a drive near the posts but Tigers wrapped up the final charge and held up play over the tryline.

The first try followed, though when Clermont fielded the clearing drop-out and created an overlap on their left where wing Cheik Tiberghien ran in. Fly-half Camile Lopez added a touchline conversion for the seven-point lead.

Tigers were quickly back on the attack and out points on the board after retaining ball through pressure near the tryline until eventually Genge barged over. Ford pushed his conversion kick across the posts.

Strong work from Tommy Reffell brought a penalty on halfway as the crowd got behind another series of Clermont phases of possession, but Tigers missed a chance when their lineout was ruled not straight after Ford had kicked down the right.

From a Clermont scrum 25 metres out, Tigers resisted an attack with a series of strong tackles, but play came back for a penalty and Lopez added the three points to make it 10-5.

A bruising carry from Genge got Tigers moving forward again and the backline challenged the left-hand corner before the forwards took over again, winning a penalty just five metres out on the opposite flank.

Progress was halted by a second whistle close to the tryline and when Tigers pushed onwards again, Montoya was on his feet to make the decisive drive over. The referee sought TMO support before awarding the try which levelled the scores at 10-10 just past the half-hour.

Moments later a Lopez penalty took play back into the Tigers 22 and he then sat deep to attempt a drop goal when Clermont recycled in the face of good defence but put the shot just wide as the half ended all-square.

Scrum-half van Poortvliet had to chase down No8 Fritz Lee to ensure it stayed that way in the opening moments after the restart after a 50-metre break from deep by Alivereti Raka.

A break by Ford through midfield put Steward in possession on the right and, although his offload was picked off in the corner, Tigers had the penalty when Reffell contested on the floor.

The lineout set up pressure and van Poortvliet spotted space in the right-hand corner to score and give his side the lead for the first time at 15-10, though Ford was unable to add the extras.

Montoya relieved some pressure on the Tigers defence with a penalty at the breakdown following a dangerous attack by Raka on the right, and the hooker was back on the ball in attack as Tigers set up a fourth try.

After winning aerial ball, Hanro Liebenberg and Montoya took play on until a sweeping attack to the left where Porter found Saumaki for the score. Ford added the extras to make the advantage 22-10.

Tigers were then penned back to their own line with a big push from Clermont at the restart, eventually forcing them backwards, though play had to come back for a penalty to the home team five metres out.

It brought an incredible response from Steve Borthwick’s men, multiple tacklers hitting phase after phase on their own whitewash before Clermont finally spilled possession.

Porter and Fritz Lee left the field for treatment after a clash of heads but, after checking replays with the TMO, there referee showed a red card for the Tigers centre.

With Tigers down to 14 men, Matias Moroni replaced Saumaki, but the strong work in defence continued as Dan Kelly wrestled back possession on the edge of his own 22 and replacement Richard Wigglesworth kicked clear.

Genge and Montoya then closed the door on another counter-attack started by Wesley Fofana, and Tigers could reset again when they won a penalty at the breakdown.

The travelling support had more to celebrate as Steward won a superb aerial contest and found Potter in support, the wing taking on and beating the final defenders before dotting down. Ford’s conversion made it 29-10.

Potter’s aggressive chase then took Clermont back over their own tryline and presented Tigers with a five-metre scrum on the right. A penalty followed, keeping Clermont pinned back and also eating into the clock approaching the final 10 minutes.

It also almost brought another try as Montoya reached to the line but, after checks of the replays, the referee ruled no score but gave Tigers put-in at a scrum as Nic Dolly replaced Montoya.

The set-piece brought another penalty and a word from the referee but the whistle went in Clermont’s favour as Tigers challenged the line again, ruling an obstruction as Dolly steered the maul onwards.

Pushed back by a penalty near halfway, Tigers wrapped up a Clermont maul and continued to make their tackles across the field to protect the lead ahead of next week’s return against the three-time Champions Cup finalists.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

ASM 10-10 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

ASM 10-29 LEI

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Nika Amashukeli

ASM Clermont Auvergne
ASM Clermont Auvergne
10

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
29
ASM Clermont Auvergne
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
T
T
T
T
C
T
C

Match Stats

ASM Clermont Auvergne
Leicester Tigers
Possession
51%
49%
Territory
43%
57%
Penalties Conceded
13
10
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
1
Tackles Won
79/89 89%
140/164 85%
Scrums Won
5/5 100%
8/9 89%
Lineouts Won
12/12 100%
16/19 84%

Player Stats

ASM Clermont Auvergne
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Freddie Steward
14Harry Potter1T
13Guy Porter
12Dan Kelly
11Hosea Saumaki1T
10George Ford2C
9Jack van Poortvliet1T
1Ellis Genge1T
2Julian Montoya1T
3Joe Heyes
4Ollie Chessum
5Calum Green
6Hanro Liebenberg
7Tommy Reffell
8Jasper Wiese
16Nic Dolly
17James Whitcombe
18Dan Cole
19Harry Wells
20Eli Snyman
21Richard Wigglesworth
22Freddie Burns
23Matias Moroni

Commentary

FULL-TIME

Clermont Auvergne 10-29 Leicester Tigers in the Round of 16 first leg. Tries by Genge (2), van Poortvliet, Saumaki and Potter. Brilliant support again from the stands too.

Ford adds the two points with the conversion to make it 29-10 to Tigers on 66min.

TRY for Harry Potter after outstanding work in the air by Steward. A fifth try makes it 27-10 to Tigers on 65mins.

Red card for Guy Porter after a clash of heads. Tigers down to 14 men.

Red card for Guy Porter after a clash of heads. Tigers down to 14 men.

George Ford ads the conversion to give Tigers a 22-10 lead on 55mins.

TRY Hosea Saumaki on the left after Tigers win aerial ball and quickly spread play. Makes the score 20-10 in Tigers' favour on 53mins.

47

Ford misses the conversion but Tigers lead 15-10 on 47min.

TRY for Jack van Poortvliet from a lineout drive in the right-hand corner. Tigers have the lead for the first time at 15-10 on 45min.

42

Important tackle from van Poortvliet as No8 Fritz Lee got on the end of a dangerous counter-attack, Tigers have the penalty over the ball too.

41

The teams are back out, with George Ford ready to get the second half started with scores all square at 10-10 in Clermont. No changes to the teams.

HALF-TIME

Clermont Auvergne 10-10 Tigers, with Ellis Genge scoring twice for the visitors. 

TRY Genge, forcing his way over again as the Tigers forwards pressure the line from a set-piece. Referee takes a long look with TMO but it is given. Tigers level at 10-10 as conversion goes wide. 32min played.

Big defence from Tigers as Clermont try to spread the play but referee calls us back for a penalty at the last scrum and Lopez adds the three points to make it 10-5 to Clermont on 27min.

TRY Ellis Genge from a pick-up near the tryline forces his way over. Ford off target with the conversion. Clermont lead 7-5

Lopez adds the conversion for a 7-0 lead for Clermont after 14mins.

TRY for Clermont, creating an overlap on the left for wing Cheik Tiberghien

11

Danger from Clermont as they build pressure from lineouts on the right but Tigers hold up the final push over the tryline and Ford can kick out. 

8

Big kick from Ford brings a knock-on in the Clermont 22 and it's a Tigers scrum. Two scrums so far have brought a penalty and a free-kick.

5

First penalty of the day goes to Tigers at a scrum spot on halfway. Ford plays to touch down the left, from the glorious sunshine into the one patch of shade.

KICK-OFF | ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

The kick-off follows a European Rugby a tribute to the people of Ukraine.

The home team will get the game started. Tigers are in the traditional colours of green, white and red, against ASM in white. We are are playing left to right as we look from the dugouts.  

0

WEATHER CHECK

There was frost and snow this time last week here but today the Stade Marcel-Michelin is sunny and warm as the teams go through final preparations ahead of kick-off.

stade pre2.jpg

0

TODAY'S OPPOSITION

ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Alivereti Raka, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Cheik Tiberghien, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra; 1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Etienne Fourcade, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina (c), 6 Judicaël Cancoriet, 7 Alexandre Fischer, 8 Fritz Lee

Replacements: 16 Yohan Beheregaray, 17 Etienne Falgoux, 18 Cristian Ojova, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Lucas Dessaigne, 21 Kevin Viallard, 22 J J Hanrahan, 23 Marvin O'Connor

0

HOW TIGERS LINE-UP

There is a late change with Ben Youngs out due to illness. The No9 shirt goes to Jack van Poortvliet with Richard Wigglesworth now at No21 among the replacements.

STARTING XV [with Tigers appearances]

15 Freddie Steward [48], 14 Harry Potter [33], 13 Guy Porter [38], 12 Dan Kelly [40], 11 Hosea Saumaki [10], 10 George Ford [120], 9 Jack van Poortvliet [42]; 1 Ellis Genge (c) [102], 2 Julián Montoya [22], 3 Joe Heyes [93], 4 Ollie Chessum [24], 5 Calum Green [83], 6 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [50], 7 Tommy Reffell [70], 8 Jasper Wiese [36]

REPLACEMENTS:

16 Nic Dolly [19], 17 James Whitcombe [19], 18 Dan Cole [281], 19 Harry Wells [147], 20 Eli Snyman [16], 21 Richard Wiglesworth [31], 22 Freddie Burns [94], 23 Matías Moroni [27]

0

MATCH PREVIEW | ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers are at the Stade Marcel-Michelin for the first time in eight years in this Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 first leg against hosts ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Looking ahead to kick-off, Tigers captain Ellis Genge said: “Months ago I got asked which stadium I wanted to play in and I said Clermont.

“We’re excited for every game, but have to take them one step at a time.”

Head coach Steve Borthwick includes Harry Potter and Hosea Saumaki in the Tigers backline, while Dan Cole returns to the matchday squad.

Three-time finalists Clermont have already beaten Sale Sharks here this season and include France caps Alivereti Raka, Wesley Fofana, Rabah Slimani and Sébastien Vahaamahina in the starting line-up.

Referee is Georgian official Nika Amashukeli.

The return leg is at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Saturday (5.30pm) with the winner determined by aggregate scores.

0

MATCHDAY LIVE

We’re LIVE as Leicester Tigers take on ASM Clermont Auvergne in France in the Heineken Champions Cup today. Kick-off is at 3.15pm UK time.

You can keep up to date with all of the action right here with our Matchday Live service on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Kotaro Matsushima
14
Alivereti Raka
13
George Moala
12
Wesley Fofana
11
Cheikh Tiberghien
10
Camille Lopez
9
Morgan Parra
1
Giorgi Beria
2
Etienne Fourcade
3
Rabah Slimani
4
Paul Jedrasiak
5
Sebastien Vahaamahina
6
Judicael Cancoriet
7
Alexandre Fischer
8
Fritz Lee

Replacements

16
Yohan Beheregaray
17
Etienne Falgoux
18
Cristian Ojovan
19
Miles Amatosero
20
Lucas Dessaigne
21
22
JJ Hanrahan
23
Marvin O'Connor

Team Change | Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

There has been a change to the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to face Clermont Auvergne in the 1st Leg of the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Ben Youngs is out of today's fixture through illness.

In his place, Jack van Poortvliet will start at scrum-half.

Richard Wigglesworth joins the Leicester bench.

The matchday squad remains otherwise unchanged from the side named on Friday.

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [48]
14 Harry Potter [33]
13 Guy Porter [38]
12 Dan Kelly [40]
11 Hosea Saumaki [10]
10 George Ford [120]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [42]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [102]
2 Julián Montoya [22]
3 Joe Heyes [93]
4 Ollie Chessum [24]
5 Calum Green [83]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [50]
7 Tommy Reffell [70]
8 Jasper Wiese [36]

REPLACMENTS
16 Nic Dolly [19]
17 James Whitcombe [19]
18 Dan Cole [281]
19 Harry Wells [147]
20 Eli Snyman [16]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [31]
22 Freddie Burns [94]
23 Matías Moroni [27]

Form Guide
Form
LWLLL
Last Match
Lost to Stormers 16-30
Past Meeting
Lost 29-44
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
LWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Gloucester Rugby 25-27
Past Meeting
Won 44-29

Matchday Live

ASM Clermont Auvergne10
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Leicester Tigers29
Leicester Tigers
Full Time