Clermont cruise into the quarters
Clermont secured their spot at the top of Pool Three with a bonus point win over Viadana in Italy on Saturday afternoon, running in eight tries to record a 59-20 victory.
Up 26-3 at half time, Clermont had already secure their vital bonus point by the time the whistle sounded for the break.
The visitors inspiration captain, Aurelien Rougerie, was leading from the front – scoring two tries inside the first forty minutes.
It was another French international though who had started the scoring for the Top 14 team. Morgan Parra, many people’s choice to replace Julien Dupuy in the French national side, dotted down after just two minutes before, with nine minutes on the clock, Lloyd Johansson scored three points for the home side with a drop goal.
Rougerie, then Napoliani Nalaga, then Rougerie again, Viadana had no answer to the power and speed of Vern Cotter’s men.
The second period started well for the home side, with a penalty from Garry Law, but it was soon Clermont turn to score again. Elvis Vermeulen this time, on as a replacement for Jamie Cudmore, scored his sides fifth try.
Both wings, Julien Malzieu and Nalaga, extended the lead before, with an hour gone, Julio Garcia got the first try for the home side.
A penalty try for Clermont, minutes from time took the visitors past the 50-point mark before Viadana’s South African Gareth Krause scored his sides second try.
Julien Bonnaire finished the job, crashing over with two minutes left.
The Scorers
For Viadana
Tries: Garcia, Krause
DG: Johannsson
Pen: Law
Cons: Hola 2
For Clermont
Tries: Parra, Rougerie 2, Nalaga 2, Malzieu, Bonnaire, Vermeulen
Cons: James 5, Floch 2
The teams:
Viadana:15 Garry Law, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Sam Cox, 12 Lloyd Johansson, 11 Matteo Pratichetti, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Pablo Canavosio, 8 Jaco Erasmus,7 Andrea Benatti, 6 Aaron Persico, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Carlo del Fava, 3 Julio Garcia, 2 Luigi Ferraro, 1 Plinio Sciamanna.
Replacements: 16 Roberto Santamaria, 17 Luigi Milani, 18 Mattia Cagna, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Gareth Krause, 21 Andrea Brancoli, 22 Josh Sole, 23 Samuele Pace
Clermont: 15 Anthony Floch, 14 Napoliani Nalaga, 13 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Gonzalo Canale, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Brock James, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Thibault Privat, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Lionel Faure, 18 Martin Scelzo, 19 Elvis Vermeulen, 20 Alexandre Audebert, 21 Kevin Senio, 22 Tasesa Lavea, 23 Brent Russell.
Referee: Andrew Small
