For this first day of the Champions Cup, the French clubs experienced varying fortunes on Saturday 11 December. In addition to Stade Toulousain, victorious from a diminished Cardiff team (39-7), and Union Bordeaux-Bègles beaten by Leicester (13-16), Clermont and Montpellier also entered the contest. We take a look back at the highlights of the other Saturday matches.
ASM falls to Michelin and is (already) in danger
To say that Clermont had a bad operation is an understatement. In a Champions Cup in a curious format (four games played), losing at home, even on the first day, can seriously jeopardize the European future. ASM was beaten by Ulster (23-29) without much to complain about. Stifled by the enthusiasm and the Northern Irish precision at the start of the match (10-19 at the break), they then thought they would come back.
#ASMULS | Final Score
The Clermontois lost on the score 23-29 against Ulster. #YellowArmy pic.twitter.com/CgoRKAIeoL– ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) December 11, 2021
Carried by their opener JJ Hanrahan (5/6 at the foot and at the origin of the second try), the Auvergnats believed to come back. A double from Damian Penaud kept hope alive but the Jaunards cracked ten minutes from the end. On a confused action, the Ulstermen scored a try and the Clermontois Tiberghien received a yellow card. The defensive bonus snatched at the end of the match in no way erased the frustration of Auvergne. On alternating current in Top 14 (7th), ASM will have to win at Sale next Saturday to stay alive.
Montpellier rivaled one half but suffered a large setback
Philippe Saint-André had been running, before this trip to Exeter. “I had to give mandatory HR before December 31, I had no choice! “, he explained this week. The MHR, which has not passed the Champions Cup hens for nine years, was largely beaten on the lawn of Exeter (42-6). The Héraultais nevertheless made a good start and were in the game at the break (7-6).
Despite a good first half, the Cistes lost against a very good team from Exeter. #TeamMHR #EXEMHR pic.twitter.com/XQSLxLcsUX
– Montpellier Rugby (@MHR_officiel) December 11, 2021
But Montpellier then exploded, against extremely powerful English. The Scottish international Jonny Gray has offered a hat-trick, which is rather rare for a second row. Faced with a revamped MHR, Exeter, winner of the 2020 edition, enforced the hierarchy. Guilhem Guirado’s teammates, back from injury on Saturday, will then have to do battle with Leinster on Friday. Not an easy task for Cistus …
Leinster impresses, Bristol wins … on green carpet
The Dublin-based club, in fact, has largely dominated Bath (45-20). Leinster had already scored five tries after half an hour of play. The Irish, who are among the favorites for the final victory, have shown the extent of their talent. The international scrum-half Gibson-Park guided his team and planted a brace.
Finally, Bristol has five points on the clock … without having stepped on the lawn. The Bears were scheduled to face Llanelli’s Scarlets, but the Welsh club have withdrawn due to numerous cases of Covid in their squad. Result of the races: the English obtained a 28-0 victory on the green carpet, and thus recovered an offensive bonus point.