Clermont 46 Chiefs 3

 

Clermont Auvergne 46

Exeter Chiefs 3

Mark Stevens at Stade Marcel Michelin

Exeter Chiefs saw their first-ever Heineken Cup exploits ended for the year as they ran into a French freight train in the shape of Clermont Auvergne.

Unbeaten on home soil for 53 games before kick-off, Vern Cotter's star-studded side produced a ruthless display of power, pace and precision as they added the scalp of the Aviva Premiership club to their list of sides humbled at the imposing Stade Marcel Michelin.

Tries from Wesley Fofana, Jean-Marcellin Buttin (2), Damian Chouly, David Skrela and Naipolioni Nalaga were the high points in a stellar display from the Frenchmen who, on this display, underlined the reason why so many pundits have them down as favourites to lift this season's crown in Dublin.

French international Morgan Parra weighed in with the remainder of the home side's points, landing four conversions and two penalties, to ensure they advanced into the last eight of the competition with a so far unblemished record in Pool 5.

For the Chiefs, fly-half Gareth Steenson (pictured) slotted their only points with a first half penalty, although the Devon club did have periods in the contest where they caused their more illustrious hosts their own fair share of problems.

Returning to Heineken Cup action for the first time since completing back-to-back victories over the Scarlets last month, Baxter sent his troops into European battle showing three changes from the side that lost at home to Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.

In the pack, skipper Tom Hayes returned at the expense of Australian international Dean Mumm; whilst behind Kevin Barrett was afforded his first at scrum-half in place of the injured Haydn Thomas and Jason Shoemark was recalled into the midfield in place of Ian Whitten.

Clermont, meanwhile, were again able to field a "Who's Who" of world rugby in their starting line-up. Among those included were French stars Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana, as well as imposing wingers Nalaga and Sitiveni Sivavtu.

Indeed, Clermont - who last month recorded successive victories over reigning champions Leinster - fielded 12 of the 15 who took to the field at Sandy Park back in October when they triumphed 46-12. The three changes saw the highly-rated Regan King start at centre instead of the injured Aurelin Rougerie; Nathan Hines replace Julien Pierre in the second row
and Julien Bardy given the nod ahead of injured flanker Gerhard Vosloo.

Although it was a rousing reception afforded to the home side on their arrival, it was the Chiefs who were the first to show in the opening exchanges. Early endeavour twice saw them rewarded with penalties by Welsh international referee Nigel Owens, but on both occasions fly-half Gareth Steenson was unable to make it count as his kicks narrowly sailed wide of the far post.

Clermont duly made the most of the let-offs as first Parra slotted a penalty with their first venture into Exeter's 22, before the deadly Fofana finished off a brilliant counter-attack for the game's opening try - converted by Parra - just three minutes later.

If that was the opening punch of a Clermont 'one-two' - the second quickly followed as Parra extended their lead with a second penalty - before then adding the extras to their second try as full-back Buttin was the beneficiary of a move that had seen the home side ruthlessly expose a lack numbers in the Exeter back line wide on the left.

To their credit, the Chiefs were undeterred and although the mountain to climb was already sizeable, they duly reduced the deficit when Steenson made it third time lucky with a successful kick on 25 minutes.

With points on the board, it was now the turn of the Chiefs to once again showcase their attacking flair. Full-back Luke Arscott cut through the home midfield with one mazy run - only to be denied by a forward pass - whilst forwards Hayes, Hoani Tui, Richard Baxter and Tom Johnson were always willing runners with ball in hand as the visitors looked to punch a hole in the home rearguard.

HALF TIME CLERMONT AUVERGNE 20 EXETER CHIEFS 3

On the resumption, Baxter's troops were again quickly into their stride as Steenson picked off Parra's intended pass to Nalaga, before galloping half the field before linking with Ian Whitten, who himself showed good speed to get the Chiefs within sight of the line.

As Clermont scrambled to relieve the danger, the Chiefs pressed hard creating an opening wide on the right for prop Ben Moon who, with front-row colleague Neil Clark outside of him, switched back inside where he was met by a plethora of home defenders.

The raid was thwarted by the Frenchmen who, it has to be said, tried every trick in the book to defend their line. Referee Owens, however, was close at hand and had spotted the illegal acts of home prop Thomas Domingo, who was duly dispatched to the sidelines with a yellow card.

Although they were a man up, the Chiefs could not turn their numerical advantage into points as a sustained spell of pressure finally saw No.8 Richard Baxter knock the ball on with the line in sight.

With the chance spurned, Clermont duly worked their way back up field with a series of attacks, eventually hitting the Chiefs with a third try just past the hour mark.

Using their rampaging forwards to batter their way to within sight of the Exeter line, a clever switch of play from scrum-half Parra at the base of a ruck gave No.8 Chouly just enough space to pick the gap and stretch out to score.

Owens was initially unsure as to the grounding, but having referred the decision to TMO Derek Bevan, the inevitable score was confirmed and Parra added the conversion to make it
27-3.

With the game effectively in the bag, Clermont went in search of the all-important bonus point which duly arrived when replacement Skrela - with virtually his first touch of the ball - powered his way in under the sticks after the home side had worked the ball in field off a five-metre scrum.

Parra's conversion was his last meaningful action of a majestic display, but still the home side - inspired by the lethal Fofana - were not finished. Indeed, they claimed a fifth converted try with six minutes remaining when Buttin was able to cross in the right-hand corner following more majestic handling from the back division.

Then, with the last play of the game, the merciless Frenchmen wrapped up proceedings as the imposing Fijian Nalaga - a wrecking ball force on the left flank - was able to bulldoze his way over from close range to put the seal on a display that will no doubt have the rest of Europe's elite quaking in their boots.

Clermont Auvergne: J-M Buttin; S Sivivatu, R King (B Stanley 57), W Fofana, N Nalaga; B James (D Skrela 68), M Parra (L Radosavljevic 70); T Domingo, B Kayser (T Paulo 70), D Zirakashvili (D Kotze 48); J Cudmore, N Hines (L Jacquet 68); J Bonnaire (capt), J Bardy, D Chouly (V Debaty 50-58, A Lapandry 64). L Jacquet.

Tries - Fofana, Buttin (2), Chouly, Skrela, Nalaga; Conversions – Parra (4), Skrella; Penalties – Parra (2)

Yellow Card: Domingo

Exeter Chiefs: L Arscott; G Camacho (I Mieres 52), P Dollman (I Whitten h/t), J Shoemark, M Jess; G Steenson, K Barrett (W Chudley 55); B Moon (C Rimmer 70), N Clark, H Tui (C Mitchell 57); T Hayes (capt), J Hanks (A Muldowney 51, J Yeandle 58); T Johnson (D Mumm 51), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter.

Penalty - Steenson

Referee: N Owens (WRU)

Touch Judges: N Henessey & Mason (WRU)

Attendance: 17,666

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Leinster (H), Heineken Cup, Saturday, January 19