15 days after a defeat in Pau, Clermont once again bowed far from its den of Marcel-Michelin. A new setback weighing on the minds of the Jaunards, who most likely left some of their illusions in Corrèze this Saturday.
However, Jono Gibbes’ men started the match ideally by leading 10-0 in less than 10 minutes, thanks to a try from the kick-off by Sébastien Bézy. But without panicking, Brive then took the game in hand, and even if Clermont deceived until the break with a second try from Marvin O’Connor (17-17), the 11,000 spectators at the Amédée-Domenech stadium quickly understood that the Coujoux had a stronger desire to win this 103rd Massif-Central derby.
In a very intense match, where the bodies were tested by many long and rhythmic actions, Brive suffered physically, but never let go. Thanks to three tries from Jurand, Bituniyata and Thompson Stringer, Brive took the lead on the hour mark never to lose it again.
In the “money time”, the ASM once again lacked control and precision, never giving the impression of being able to reverse the trend.
This inevitable defeat, the second in a row outside, places Clermont in a very uncomfortable position, with 9th place in the standings, and above all a delay of 9 points on the 6th qualifying place for the end of season finals.
We have the impression of advancing one step, then retreating two … We must put in place a dynamic and relaunch the club – Judicaël Cancoriet.
A situation that does not yet worry captain Judicaël Cancoriet, who although sounded in a post-match press conference, wanted to keep a positive speech: “No, there is no fire! Afterwards, you also have to see where we are today and quickly realize that there is work to be done. It must come from us… There is only us to be able to get a better end to the season, it goes through our group. We sometimes analyze certain things, but we fall back into our faults. We have the impression of advancing one step, then taking two steps back. Now we have to put in place a dynamic and relaunch the club.”
A relaunch which is therefore now urgent, with a new perilous trip next weekend to the lawn of La Rochelle, a direct rival for accession to the final stages. With now 9 points behind 6th place, Clermont must finally cause the click outside, under penalty of leaving its last illusions on the shores of the Atlantic.
A capital meeting, which will naturally be to follow next Saturday (9:05 p.m.), on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne with the comments of Julien Oury from the Marcel-Deflandre stadium in La Rochelle.