Clermont Auvergne clinch a record-equalling third European Challenge Cup
Clermont Auvergne clinched a record-equalling third European Challenge Cup final victory by beating La Rochelle 36-16 at St James’ Park.
And Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw played a key role in the win by kicking 18 points.
Clermont matched Harlequins’ achievement of three Challenge Cup triumphs through a controlled display of forward power.
It resulted in tries for wing Damian Penaud, number eight Fritz Lee and centre Wesley Fofana, while Laidlaw added four penalties and three conversions, with Morgan Parra booting a penalty.
Fly-half Ihaia West kicked three penalties and a conversion of prop Uini Atonio’s try for La Rochelle.
But the first-time European finalists could have few complaints after being outgunned at key moments in front of an English record Challenge Cup final attendance of 28,438.
Clermont made all the early running, monopolising possession and almost going ahead after eight minutes when Penaud was freed in space, but he knocked on in his attempt to touch the ball down.
"It might not be the big one, but I'm telling you it feels absolutely incredible!"
2005 ?
2009 ?
2013 ?
2015 ?
2017 ?
2019 ?After losing in five European finals, Benjamin Kayser finally has a winners medal!
Look how much it means to him ? pic.twitter.com/f9q62WkY9s
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 10, 2019
The early exchanges were played at a breathless pace, and La Rochelle found themselves in a prolonged defensive rearguard as Clermont probed for space through fly-half Camille Lopez.
And his half-back partner Parra kicked Clermont into a 13th-minute lead when he found the target with a penalty from 30 metres.
But it was to be the France international’s last meaningful contribution, as he was forced off after suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury just four minutes later.
Parra was replaced by Scotland international Laidlaw, and he doubled Clermont’s advantage with a short-range penalty 10 minutes later.
? Clermont Auvergne ?
2019 #ChallengeCup champions ?
*Get well soon Morgan Parra! pic.twitter.com/OufyplIACl
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 10, 2019
A West penalty cut the deficit to round off a solid spell of La Rochelle pressure, but Clermont remained the dominant team entering the second quarter of a robust encounter.
And they finally breached La Rochelle’s defence 10 minutes before the break, when patient build-up play was rewarded through a fine finish by Penaud, before Laidlaw’s conversion opened up a 10-point lead.
A second West penalty cut the gap to 13-6 at the break, keeping his team in a game that Clermont had dominated.
West then had the first chance of the second half, but he saw an angled penalty strike bounce back off the post.
The New Zealander, though, made amends three minutes later, finding his range from 30 metres as La Rochelle edged closer towards their Top 14 rivals.
Another Laidlaw penalty reopened a seven-point edge for Clermont, yet La Rochelle remained firmly in the contest after recovering from a shaky opening to impose themselves on the contest.
But they were blown away by a 10-point burst in two minutes as Laidlaw kicked another penalty, then converted Lee’s try, which came after a relentless forward drive.
Atonio gave La Rochelle hope with his touchdown, but Clermont were not to be denied, and Fofana sealed the deal as they added further Challenge Cup silverware to their collection following successes in 1999 and 2007.
Comments on RugbyPass
“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
28 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
28 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
28 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
28 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
28 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
28 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
28 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to commentsTo be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
1 Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
7 Go to comments