Clermont looking to lock up Pool One

 

It was the first time in 16 seasons of back-to-back games in the middle of the Pool matches that Munster had not picked up a single win and the victory for 2013 European Cup finalists ASM Clermont Auvergne puts them a point clear of Saracens.

  

Clermont became the first to do that double after they backed up their historic 16-9 win at Thomond Park a week earlier with a 26-19 win at Stade Marcel-Michelin on Sunday. 

 

The French side have pushed themselves to the top of the pool but for fullback Nick Abendanon there is still a chance that they could slip and fall short of the knock-out stages.

 

"These two wins over Munster have put us in a very encouraging position and now the Pool is ours to lose," said Clermont's England fullback Abendanon

 

"Every year people say it is going to be Clermont's year and every year they seem to fall short.

 

"We are in a commanding position and we have to capitalise on that but we have to be mentally even stronger this year that in the past.

 

"As a collective we have played pretty well and done exactly what we need to do.

 

While Munster may not be totally down and out with two rounds remaining in the pool stages, it looks like it will be a fight for top spot between Clermont and Saracens with these two still to meet in the coming weeks.

 

Saracens will welcome Munster in Round Five while Clermont will travel to Manchester for a tricky Friday night fixture.

 

In Round Six Clermont will face Saracens with the result of that game expected to decide who will top the group.

 

"Of the two games we have got left Saracens is going to be the toughest, although Manchester is always a niggly place to go to face Sale Sharks, especially on a Friday night," Abendanon added.