TOPS
Damian Penaud sparkling again
Even when he was placed back in the center of the Clermont attack, the usual winger Damian Penaud managed to show off all his talent to lead his team on the road to victory. Directly involved in the second Clermont try scored by Alivereti Raka (22nd) after a devastating breakthrough, the French international then allowed his partners to equalize just before the break by flattening a caviar at the foot of Camille Lopez (39th). If his defensive folds can sometimes leave something to be desired, Damian Penaud is establishing himself more and more as the strong man and the X factor of the ASM three-quarter line. Logically elected man of the match.
Fritz Lee still ubiquitous
Strongman of the Clermont locker room for eight seasons now, the rough New Zealand third-line has released a new copy of high quality on the European scene. Author of the first Clermont try after being ideally launched high by Sébastien Bézy in the centre, Fritz Lee then struggled in the defensive sector by repelling multiple English attacks and proving to be invaluable in the ground game.
The hope of qualification maintained
The essential is assured for the men of Jono Gibbes. At the end of a long undecided match, the Jaunards give themselves the right to continue dreaming of qualifying for the finals. After a cold shower at the start against Ulster (23-29) and a goalless draw against Sale due to the health crisis, ASM managed to afford its first success in this European campaign. With now 7 points on the clock, as much as his opponent in the evening, Clermont is sixth in Pool A and therefore in the nails of qualification, promised to the first eight. But a rout on the lawn of Ulster next Saturday (6:30 p.m.) could come to reshuffle the cards.
LiveChampions Cup: Clermont overcome Sale to stay in contention for qualification
FLOPS
Matsushima - James, an evening to forget for the backs
Kotaro Matsushima and Luke James had a real ordeal during this Champions Cup match.
Back after being declared positive for Covid-19, the Japanese seemed physically lacking in juice and annihilated several Clermont opportunities with a forward or bad choices in his races.
The same goes for his Sharks counterpart, Luke James, not comfortable on the cover with several balls falling on the reception of candles and a logical yellow card received after a voluntary forward (39th) on a clear opportunity to ASM just before Damian Penaud's test.
The second missed act of the Sharks
With a parity score at the break (19-19), the English did better than compete against the Clermontois at Michelin. More conquering in front and precise on their rare opportunities, Tom Curry's teammates had enough to nurture great ambitions in the second act. But it was nothing. Multiple inaccuracies in the transmissions and indiscipline in the ground game came to win their ranks for in the end, a zero point after returning from the locker room. As a consolation, however, the Sharks managed to save a defensive bonus point and avoid offering an offensive bonus point to their opponents.
ASM's post-Christmas gifts
The Clermontois offered Sale's first two tries on a platter, who didn't ask for so much.
After a scrum in his 22 meters to negotiate, Sébastien Bézy dithers in his recovery and returns possession to the Sharks after a forward taken back in front.
On the following penalty, Sale scored his first try, in force through the South African second line Jean-Luc du Preez (5th).
Bis repeated in the 26th minute when, after a ball lost in touch, the Clermontois are punished by a long play at the foot of Robert du Preez in the back of their defense, which winger Tom Roebuck manages to flatten by taking speed Marvin O'Connor.
Two offerings that the English did not hesitate to concretize for a long time to make doubt the ASM.