Leinster could end Clermont’s Cup dream

CLERMONT’S defeat to Racing Metro in the all-French Pool Two clash on Saturday is good news for Leinster as they prepare for back-to-back clashes with the Auvergnats.

Veteran Fijian winger Sireli Bobo crossed for the game’s only try after 38 minutes with fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski adding 11 points to open the Paris-based team’s account with a 16-9 success.

Gavin Williams slotted three penalties for the beaten French champions, who had defeated Saracens in their opener.

It now leaves Leinster firmly in control of the pool with a four-point lead, and they will head to the Massif Central in December knowing victory there could all but extinguish Clermont’s qualification hopes.

While the French side stress they are gunning for the Heineken Cup this year, they have not always given it top billing.

Leinster may be hoping that inflicting another loss may see Clermont – who began with a raft of star names, including scrum-half Morgan Parra, on the bench on Saturday – send a weakened side to Dublin in round four, but there is a lot of work to be done in France yet.

Elsewhere, Toulouse took control of Pool Six, delivering a workmanlike performance to collect a 40-19 win at Newport Gwent Dragons.

It was only the French giants’ eighth win from 15 European starts on Welsh soil, and they were indebted to a kicking masterclass from fly-half David Skrela at Rodney Parade.

Skrela booted 19 points from four penalties, a drop-goal and two conversions, although he was also sin-binned during a lively encounter.

Centre Florian Fritz chipped in with two penalties when Skrela was off, while flanker Thierry Dusautoir, number eight Louis Picamoles and full-back Maxime Medard – the latter a clinically-executed team effort – scored tries.

The Dragons mustered four Matthew Jones penalties, trailing only 15-12 just before half-time, while full-back Will Harries touched down late on and Jones converted.

But Toulouse won comfortably despite never threatening to hit top gear. In two Heineken games this season they have scored just three tries, yet still top their group heading into pre-Christmas home and away appointments with Glasgow.

Stephen Myler kicked 16 points as Northampton came from behind to win 31-27 against Edinburgh at Murrayfield, and go three points clear at the top of Heineken Cup Pool One.

It was a heartbreaking score-line for Edinburgh who had played some scintillating rugby in the first half, only to see their lead whittled away as the power of the Northampton pack forced them on to the back foot.