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Report | Tigers complete Round of 16 victory

Leicester Tigers booked a place in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals with beating ASM Clermont Auvergne over two legs in the Round of 16.

Playing in the unfamiliar situation of aggregate scores counting over the two games, Tigers followed up a win in France with a 27-17 verdict in the return at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday to win 56-27 overall and book a quarter-final home meeting with Leinster Rugby.

Tigers, who led 29-10 from the opening leg after scoring five tries at the Stade Marcel-Michelin six days ago, stated all week that the job was still to be done and led 7-3 at half-time in the return fixture thanks to a Hanro Liebenberg try scored after just nine minutes.

Matt Scott, on as a replacement, provided the next try in the early stages of the second half and Freddie Steward added amnother following a penalty try in front of a 22,722 crowd in the Easter sunshine.

Chasing a quarter-final place for the first time since 2016, Tigers called Nic Dolly into the front row after starting on the bench in France, while Steve Borthwick also brought in Harry Wells and Eli Snyman to start.

Clermont were led by hooker Yohan Beheregaray as France Under-20s scrum-half Baptiste Jauneau made his first start for the club and, back from a year-long injury absence, Samuel Ezeala provided cover at centre and wing from the bench.

After tributes to former Tigers player Arthur Hazlerigg and Chief Constable Simon Cole ahead of kick-off, Clermont got the game started and were immediately on the attack, play remaining in the Tigers 22 for long stretches of the opening exchanges before the defence won a penalty on the floor to a huge cheer from the home crowd.

Clermont stayed in possession, though, forcing Tigers into their defensive sets, until a wayward pass flew into touch.

During the pause, Clermont lost centre George Moala to injury, their second change after lock Miles Amatorsero withdrew in their warm-up.

Tigers got out of their half for the first time on nine minutes and immediately made the most of the opportunity with an opening try for Liebenberg, dragging defenders with him as he reached for the line next to the posts at the Mattioli Woods Stand end after a carry from Ellis Genge. George Ford added the kick for a 7-0 lead.

Dolly won a defensive penalty over the ball after Wesley Fofana inspired another ASM attack but the game was still being played predominantly at that end of the field.

A pinpoint kick to the right-hand corner from a penalty gave them another chance in attack, though Steward – in his 50th first-team appearance – twice wrapped up Fofana close in. Penalties were mounting up, though, and when the whistle went against Tigers again, referee Andrew Brace spoke to captain Genge as Camille Lopez called for the kicking tee. His kick made it 7-3 on 15 minutes.

Dan Kelly’s kick and Chris Ashton’s chase pushed Clermont back, but play was halted for a forward pass when Genge thundered into the line.

Matias Moroni and Harry Potter joined forces to stop a dangerous break from Alivereti Raka which started back in his own half, but Tigers were whistled again near halfway, allowing the visitors to build on set-piece ball kicked to the left.

When they applied pressure near the posts, Ford’s kick was charged down in-goal but scrum-half Jauneau touched down on the deadball line and the referee denied the score after checking replays.

Tigers won turnover ball in defence but were penalised again as they contested a breakdown on halfway and had to defend more Clermont possession before forcing an error and kicking upfield.

Liebenberg and then Steward made breaks as the pace continued, finally bringing a penalty in Tigers’ favour on the left edge of their rivals’ 22 with play entering the final 10 minutes of the half.

A lineout drive set up a position for Harry Wells to attack the tryline but the ball bobbled loose just short of the score.

Steward carried again after a wayward kick from Lopez and, when Jack van Poortvliet pushed play into the corner, Ashton gambled as he flung himself towards the ball as it bounced in-goal as Jauneau tracked back. The referee ruled no try, with play restarting on the five-metre line with a Clermont scrum from the knock-on.

With time almost out, Jauneau latched on to loose ball just inside the Leicester half and he looked destined for the left-hand corner, but his pass inside as the defence closed in was dropped by hooker Yohan Beheregaray.

Kelly fell as he raced back in that defensive effort, though, and was helped off the field as Scott came off the bench.

The crowd screamed for a knock-on when Clermont fielded a Ford clearance, but play continued, until Steward’s pass to Ashton floated forward on the opposition 22 in the closing action of the half, with Tigers 23 points ahead on aggregate scores.

When the game restarted, Tommy Reffell had to reach out to bring down Fofana with an ankle tap as he found a gap near halfway and the flanker was back in the line to force a knock-on and turnover.

A break by van Poortvliet was stopped 10 metres out and Clermont quickly blocked progress as Tigers tried to spread play out wide.

Referee Brace whistled against Clermont at their scrum and Ford kicked the points for a 10-3 advantage as Borthwick sent on Charlie Clare, Calum Green and Ben Youngs from the bench.

The crowd cheered a second scrum penalty moments later and this time Ford took play to the left corner, where Scott provided a second try.

Harry Wells secured the ineout ball, Reffell took play on and then, when Ford switched to go left, he put the flanker back in possession and Scott stepped off his left foot to run in and score, putting Tigers 15-3 in front on the day.

Lopez pushed Tigers back with a penalty to the corner soon afterwards and, although Ollie Chessum wrapped up ball, the referee said he had done it illegally and Clermont opted for a scrum just five metres out.

They stayed on the attack, recycling in the face of strong defence until finally creating space for Raka to score on the right and replacement Morgan Parra added the conversion to make it 15-10.

When lock Paul Jedrasiak intercepted a Tigers attack, Steward pushed him back towards his own line and Clermont hooker Etienne Fourcade was yellow-carded as he stopped the turnover opportunity. Charlie Clare thought he’d scored as Tigers drove towards the line and although the referee initially awarded it, he called for TMO assistance and instead, yellow-carded prop Daniel Bibi Biziwu and gavea penalty try.

Tigers, though, then lost Chessum to a red card after checks on a high tackle, but the home team still ended the game on the front foot, playing out in the visitors’ half.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LEI 7-3 ASM

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LEI 27-17 ASM

Attendance

22,722

Referee

Andrew Brace

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
27

Full Time

ASM Clermont Auvergne
ASM Clermont Auvergne
17
Leicester Tigers
T
C
P
T
T
T
KOHTFT
ASM Clermont Auvergne
P
T
C
T
C

Match Stats

Leicester Tigers
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Possession
39%
61%
Territory
53%
47%
Penalties Conceded
11
15
Yellow Cards
0
2
Red Cards
1
0
Tackles Won
183/216 85%
75/92 82%
Scrums Won
4/4 100%
8/9 89%
Lineouts Won
21/21 100%
9/10 90%

Player Stats

Leicester Tigers
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Freddie Steward1T
14Chris Ashton
13Matias Moroni
12Dan Kelly
11Harry Potter
10George Ford1C1P
9Jack van Poortvliet
1Ellis Genge
2Nic Dolly
3Joe Heyes
4Harry Wells
5Eli Snyman
6Ollie Chessum
7Tommy Reffell
8Hanro Liebenberg1T
16Charlie Clare
17Francois van Wyk
18Dan Cole
19Calum Green
20Jasper Wiese
21Ben Youngs
22Freddie Burns
23Matt Scott1T

Commentary

FULL TIME

Tigers beat Clermont Auvergne 27-17 on the day, 56-27 on aggregate to reach a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster Rugby. Crowd of 22,722. Thank you all.

Para adds the conversion, it is Tigers 27-17 Clermont on 70min

Clermont have a second try, No8 Fritz Lee steaming through to score. 

67

Burns off target with the conversion but Tigers lead 27-10 on the day, 56-20 on aggregate. 67min.

WHAT A SCORE

Ben Youngs breaks from inside his own 22, Harry Potter takes play all the way upfield before putting in Freddie Steward to score. 27-10. Home crowd love that one!

Ollie Chessum is red-carded after his tackle near the touchline.

Penalty Try awarded to Tigers after Clermont stop Charlie Clare on the line. 22-10 on 63min

Clermont prop Daniel Bibi Biziwu yellow carded as the penalty try is awarded.

Replacement hooker Etienne Fourcade sinbinned as Clermont defend their line.

Morgan Parra converts try by Raka, it is 15-10 on the day to Tigers, 44-20 on aggregate, 58mins.

Clermont have a try, Raka finishing patient attack in the right corner. 

Matt Scott scores a try after smart work from Reffell and Ford, to put Tigers 15-3 in front. It is 44-13 on aggregate. Ford wide with the conversion, 51mins gone on the clock.

Scrum penalty to Tigers and Ford adds the 3 points, it's 10-3 on 45min.

41

George Ford kicks off for the second half,, Tigers lead 7-3.

HALF-TIME

Tigers lead 7-3 on the day, 36-13 on aggregate at the end of a breathless first half.

36

Big escape as Clermont break but spill ball as they reach the Tigers 22. There are a couple of Tigers down though and Kelly leaves the field, replaced by Scott. Still 7-3.

33

No try Tigers, Ashton just missing the decisive touch as he slid after bouncing ball in-goal. Still 7-3.

30

Hardly time to blink in this game, with Liebenberg and Stewards making dangerous breaks for Tigers.

25

No try Clermont, scrum-half Jauneau denied as ball touches the deadball line after a charge down.

Penalty for Clermont in front of the posts as Lopez kicks their opening points on 15mins. Tigers lead 7-3 on the day.

George Ford adds the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Remember it is 29-10 from the first leg.

Hanro Liebenberg drags defenders with him as he scores at the posts at the Mattioli Woods Stand end. 9min gone.

5

Opening 5 minutes played in the Tigers 22, but big defensive effort and now we are 70 metres upfield.

KICK-OFF | Leicester Tigers v ASM Clermont Auvergne

Kick-off follows a moment’s applause in tribute to the people of Ukraine and also to former Tigers forward Arthur Hazlerigg and former Chief Constable Simon Cole. Clermont kick off with Tigers in green and ASM in white. Tigers are playing left to right as we look from the dugouts.  

0

Late change for CLermont. 5 Amatosero is out after the warm-up, Jedrasiak comes into the 5 shirt. Cancoriet goes from 20 to 19, Fischer is added at 20.

0

WEATHER CHECK

It is sunny! Just like the Stade Marcel-Michelin a week ago, we’ve enjoyed Spring sunshine this week. Now, as the teams go through final preparations ahead of kick-off it is a beautiful day for European rugby.

0

TODAY'S OPPOSITION

CLERMONT AUVERGNE: 15 Cheik Tiberghien, 14 Alivereti Raka, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Marvin O'Connor, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Jauneau; 1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Yohan Beheregaray (c), 3 Christian Ojovan, 4 Thibaud Lanen, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Clement Lanen, 7 Lucas Dessaigne, 8 Fritz Lee

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Etienne Fourcade, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Judicaël Cancoriet, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 John Joseph Hanrahan, 23 Samuel Ezeala

0

HOW TIGERS LINE UP

There are no changes to the line-up announced on Friday.

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [49], 14 Chris Ashton [5], 13 Matías Moroni [28], 12 Dan Kelly [41], 11 Harry Potter [34], 10 George Ford [121], 9 Jack van Poortvliet [43]; 1 Ellis Genge (c) [103], 2 Nic Dolly [20], 3 Joe Heyes [94], 4 Harry Wells [148], 5 Eli Snyman [17], 6 Ollie Chessum [25], 7 Tommy Reffell [70], 8 Hanro Liebenberg [51]

REPLACMENTS

16 Charlie Clare [45], 17 Francois van Wyk [15], 18 Dan Cole [282], 19 Calum Green [84], 20 Jasper Wiese [37], 21 Ben Youngs [275], 22 Freddie Burns [95], 23 Matt Scott [43]

0

MATCH PREVIEW | Leicester Tigers v ASM Clermont Auvergne

The Heineken Champions Cup breaks new ground at Mattioli Woods Welford Road today with the return leg of the new Round of 16 between Leicester Tigers and ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Organisers EPCR have staged the last-16 clashes over two legs with places in the quarter-finals determined by aggregate scores.

Tigers earned a 29-10 victory over Clermont in the opening leg, but fly-half George Ford says: “The focus and mindset is that we’ve done nothing yet and there is another 80 minutes to play against a quality team.

“It’s great to go to places like Clermont and also to bring them back to Mattioli Woods Welford Road and hopefully they will be able to experience what it’s like playing in Leicester because it is incredible.”

Tigers have not reached the knockout stages of the Champions Cup since 2016, though the team did reach the Final of the Challenge Cup last season.

If aggregate scores are level at the end of 80 minutes, extra time is played. There is also provision for a place-kicking competition to find the winner.

Referee is Andrew Brace from Ireland, who was also in charge of the Challenge Cup Final last season.

0

WELCOME TO MATCHDAY LIVE

We’re LIVE as Leicester Tigers host ASM Clermont Auvergne in Heineken Champions Cup. Kick-off is at 5.30pm.

If you are not at the game, you can keep up with all of the action here with Matchday Live on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Cheikh Tiberghien
14
Alivereti Raka
13
George Moala
12
Wesley Fofana
11
Marvin O'Connor
10
Camille Lopez
9
Baptiste Jauneau
1
Giorgi Beria
2
Yohan Beheregaray
3
Cristian Ojovan
4
Thibaud Lanen
5
Paul Jedrasiak
6
Clement Lanen
7
Lucas Dessaigne
8
Fritz Lee

Replacements

16
Etienne Fourcade
17
Daniel Bibi Biziwu
18
Sipili Falatea
19
Judicael Cancoriet
20
Alexandre Fischer
21
Morgan Parra
22
JJ Hanrahan
23
Samuel Ezeala

Team News | Tigers side to play Clermont in Leicester

Figure image

Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Clermont Auvergne at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (5.30pm).

Up front, Nic Dolly starts at hooker with captain Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes the props.

Charlie Clare, Francois van Wyk and Dan Cole are included as front-row replacements on the Leicester bench.

Harry Wells and Eli Snyman, who were both used from the bench at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, start in the second row.

Ollie Chessum moves from lock to blindside flanker to link up with Tommy Reffell and Hanro Liebenberg in a new-look back row. 

Calum Green and Jasper Wiese, who started last Sunday, are the other forwards among the replacements.

Jack van Poortvliet and George Ford are retained as the half-back pairing while, in the Tigers midfield, Dan Kelly is partnered with Matías Moroni in the Argentine’s first starting appearance in six weeks.

Chris Ashton, in his first European outing for Leicester Tigers, is named as one wing and Harry Potter the other.

Freddie Steward starts at full-back in the 21-year-old’s 50th first-team appearance for the club.

Ben Youngs, Freddie Burns and Matt Scott are the replacement backs included in the matchday squad.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Borthwick said: “We are looking forward to being back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, back at home with all of our supporters.”

“It has been more than a month since a game at home for most of these players, who have the privilege of representing the club this weekend, and we are looking forward to being back.”

Previewing the 2nd Leg, the Tigers Head Coach added: “The focus is on this weekend, not anything we have done before in this competition.”

“It is a new week, a new game and our objective - like every time we represent Leicester Tigers - is to play tough and deliver a performance our supporters can be proud of at full time.”

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [49]
14 Chris Ashton [5]
13 Matías Moroni [28]
12 Dan Kelly [41]
11 Harry Potter [34]
10 George Ford [121]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [43]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [103]
2 Nic Dolly [20]
3 Joe Heyes [94]
4 Harry Wells [148]
5 Eli Snyman [17]
6 Ollie Chessum [25]
7 Tommy Reffell [70]
8 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [51]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [45]
17 Francois van Wyk [15]
18 Dan Cole [282]
19 Calum Green [84]
20 Jasper Wiese [37] 
21 Ben Youngs [275]
22 Freddie Burns [95]
23 Matt Scott [43]

CLERMONT: 15 Cheik Tiberghien, 14 Marvin O'Connor, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Jauneau; 1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Yohan Beheregaray (c), 3 Christian Ojovan, 4 Thibaud Lanen, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Clement Lanen, 7 Lucas Dessaigne, 8 Fritz Lee

16 Etienne Fourcade, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Judicaël Cancoriet, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 John Joseph Hanrahan, 23 Samuel Ezeala

Preview | Tigers go to Clermont

Figure image

Leicester Tigers go to the Stade Marcel-Michelin for the first time in eight years for Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against hosts ASM Clermont Auvergne.

A two-legged Round of 16 has been introduced to the Champions Cup this season, with Tigers heading to France before hosting the return at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Saturday (5.30pm). The winner is determined by aggregate scores.

Tigers and Clermont have met on seven previous occasions in Europe’s elite club competition, including four times at the French club’s stadium where the hosts registered a quarter-final victory in the last meeting in 2013/14.

The only away win in the series of past meetings was by Tigers in January 2006, on the team’s first-ever visit to Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Tigers captain Ellis Genge, who played in France with England during the last round of the Six Nations three weeks ago, said: “I sat down months ago and was asked which stadium I wanted to play in and I said Clermont – their fans, their passion. French fans are brilliant in general, it is exciting. I can’t wait to get there and involved.”

Genge led Tigers to a pool victory away to Bordeaux-Bègles earlier this season but said: “We don’t get ahead of ourselves. I don’t think that game had us thinking we could take on the world, we are good at keeping our feet on the floor and looking at the game that comes next. 

"We are excited for every game, but have to take them one step at a time.”

In team news announced on Friday, head coach Steve Borthwick includes Harry Potter and Hosea Saumaki in the Tigers backline, while Dan Cole returns to the matchday squad among the replacements.

Three-time Champions Cup finalists Clermont Auvergne are the top points scorers in this season’s French Top 14 and go into this weekend on the back of a big win over Brive in domestic action.

They already have a win over Gallagher Premiership opposition this season, beating Sale Sharks in the third round of the pool stages after their first meeting was cancelled.

Clermont include France internationals Alivereti Raka, Wesley Fofana, Rabah Slimani, Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra and captain Sébastien Vahaamahina in their starting line-up alongside Japan full-back Kotaro Matsushima.

Referee on Sunday is Georgian official Nika Amashukeli, who was also appointed for the cancelled pool fixture between Tigers and Bordeaux-Bègles at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Tigers will wear the club’s traditional green, white and red colours at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

There is live coverage with BT Sport, or follow the Matchday Live service on the Tigers website and app, with full reaction and interviews afterwards.

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

Matchday Live

Leicester Tigers27
Leicester Tigers
ASM Clermont Auvergne17
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Full Time