Knowledge is power as Clermont seek Euro revenge

THEY’RE back and they’re gunning for revenge.

ASM Clermont Auvergne begin their Heineken Cup campaign against Sale Sharks at their atmospheric Stade de Marcel-Michelin on Saturday, but the December back-to-back fixtures against Munster cannot come quickly enough for Les Juanards.

Last season, the Top 14 was their number one priority, and although beaten in the French Championship final by Toulouse, European domination is now top of their agenda.

They blew their chances at the pool stage last season by sending a perceived second string to Thomond Park. And while they’ve had to absorb the brickbats after that costly 36-13 pool defeat, the experience has made their head coach, Vern Cotter, and director of rugby, Jean Marc Lhermet, more determined to top Pool One this season.

“I don’t think it was a mistake,” Lhermet responds on the topic of sending a below strength side to Limerick. “At that time of the season, we had a problem. The World Cup had just finished and many players were tired, physically exhausted or injured. We were obliged to do what we did because there were a lot of risks with injury.

“All season we try to use lots of players and make changes. We did that against Munster but it wasn’t a move designed to say, ‘we don’t want to win this match’. We do our best with our resources.”

However, Lhermet — a former Clermont and French international flanker — is adamant that because of the strength of their pool this season, he feels just one from Munster, Clermont, Montauban and Sale will emerge: “It’ll be close and very difficult but it should be fascinating.”

It’s not stretching possibilities to suggest Clermont were one of the top three teams in Europe last season — even if they didn’t make the Heineken Cup knockout stages. Last January at Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont and Munster played out a classic pool encounter, and though Cotter’s men prevailed 26-19, Munster’s bonus point proved crucial when quarter-final places were decided after the last rounds of Heineken Cup matches.

Who could ever forget the excitement and controversy at the foot of the Massif Centrale that memorable Sunday afternoon? Apart from the splendid rugby and Munster’s amazing second half comeback, referee, Rob Debney, needed to be escorted from the field as Clermont players and supporters hurled abuse regarding his second half penalty decisions and the three yellow cards ASM received. And, in the days that followed, both Jerry Flannery and Alexandre Audebert were cited all of which sparked a drawn-out process of hearings, appeals and more appeals.

“We were very disappointed not to qualify,” recalls Lhermet of last season. “We missed out by just one point — one bonus point lost in the last minute to Munster.

“It was difficult to take. However what happened stood to us for the rest of the season in the French Championship — we were more battle-hardened.”

Alongside names like Toulouse and Stade Francais, Clermont Auvergne has steadily watched its brand name grow as they embellish a squad capable of competing with the very best in European rugby.

In a squad brimful of internationals, star-quality shines out from every position: winger Aurelien Rougerie is a totemic figure at ASM, though he is sidelined until the New Year.

Among the other quality backs on their books, are the elusive and exciting winger, Julien Malzieu, centre Gonzalo Canale, full back Anthony Floch and half backs Pierre Mignoni and Brock James.

“We have good players from everywhere but this team is very stable,” says Lhermet. “There haven’t been many movements in and out over the last three seasons. It’s a real team and the players are very proud to play for Clermont. They play for each other.

“I think we are better than last season and I think we have a team capable to compete with Munster and Sale.”

ASM are arguably Munster’s greatest threat in the pool, and Lhermet says the experience gained last season against Munster and Wasps was indeed precious.

“What Munster possess is experience, and last season our problem at Clermont Auvergne was that we’d no experience of this competition. They were champions last season and, with Toulouse, the best sides in the competition.”

“We’ll try to do our best in the Heineken Cup for sure. Win it? It’s very difficult. To get to the quarter finals for the first time … well, in sport anything is possible.”