Bath suffer fresh Champions Cup defeat as Clermont claim Rec spoils
Bath suffered a third successive Champions Cup defeat after Clermont Auvergne turned on the pace and power to secure a bonus-point 34-17 win with three late tries at the Rec.
Veteran Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw came off the replacements bench to kick Clermont into the lead with two penalties early in the second half before the French side’s backs let rip.
Right wing Samuel Ezeala crossed twice on his Champions Cup debut and also laid on a try for flanker Alexandre Lapandry, with Laidlaw adding the extras for all three.
Continue reading below…
Clermont’s other try came from Kiwi centre George Moala in the first half, while Bath – who both started and finished the scoring – crossed through Rhys Priestland and Jonathan Joseph.
Handling errors dogged Bath’s early efforts to gain the upper hand in this Pool 3 clash but Clermont’s indiscipline gave the home side plenty of encouragement.
Two penalties in quick succession established field position in the visitors’ 22 and strong carrying by Jamie Roberts, Elliott Stooke and Will Stuart softened up the Clermont defence for the opening score after 13 minutes.
Priestland found a surprising amount of space on the short side of a ruck and scored with ease, with the Wales fly-half converting his own try.
‘I’d love to think I can make a difference (at international level). I’d like to think I can cause damage… I’d love to test myself if that opportunity comes’
– @duhanvdmerwe tells @JLyall93 about @EdinburghRugby and the circuitous route to prove himself
https://t.co/MYjaruxPYU— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 6, 2019
Bath, not the most adventurous of teams in the early months of the season, suddenly flicked the switch and began running the ball from quick line-outs and tapped penalties on their own 22.
Too often the pass or off-load went to ground but Roberts continued to test the Clermont defence and Priestland even spurned a certain three points in front of the posts in favour of a line-out.
The Challenge Cup holders rode their luck but managed to draw level after 27 minutes, as Moala brushed aside two tackles to score at the other end after a catch-and-drive by his forwards. Skipper Morgan Parra converted to make it 7-7.
Making a seemingly conscious effort to break away from the limited game plan of recent weeks, Bath continued to move the ball wide and encouraged their wings to roam.
However, Clermont came out after half-time in more focused mood and replacement scrum-half Laidlaw kicked an angled penalty to put them ahead.
Bath quickly responded and the flying Tom Homer combined beautifully with Stooke, who galloped up through the middle to get the hosts back on the attack. The follow-up play lacked fluency but Priestland landed a penalty to level at 10-10, with half an hour to play.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uuc23g_yr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Premiership outfit continued to leak penalties, however, and Laidlaw was on target at the other end to promptly restore Clermont’s three-point advantage.
Another Laidlaw effort from near halfway fell short but Bath were very much on notice.
The visitors had shown little of the undoubted pace and power in their back line until Isaia Toeava broke free, supported by centre partner Moala. Toeava handled again before Ezeala touched down at the posts.
Barcelona-born teenager Ezeala was unstoppable now, breaking free from the restart to send Lapandry over for a third try and, shortly after, latching on to Camille Lopez’s grubber kick to give Clermont a bonus point.
With Laidlaw adding the extras for each, the visitors had wracked up 21 unanswered points in less than 10 minutes, and Bath could only respond with a consolation try from Joseph that was converted by Freddie Burns.
– Press Association
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments