Browne: Clermont will present ‘complete test’

With Brad Thorn recently arrived, Leo Cullen fully recovered from surgery and Devin Toner likely to be named as first reserve, it is unlikely Damian Browne will get to register his ninth Heineken Cup appearance this weekend.

That isn’t to say the Galway lock won’t have a role to play this weekbecause Joe Schmidt isn’t the only man in the Leinster camp who can provide some insight into Clermont’s mindset ahead of Sunday’s semi-final on the continent.

Browne spent three seasons with Brive who, despite being two hours away, count the men from the Auvergne as enemies of their blood. Some of his most vivid memories on the continent were provided by contests against the bleu et jaune.

“I was three years in France and played them home and away and then I would have played them once or twice with Connacht years ago,” said Browne who started this year’s home and away pool games againstMontpellier.

“I have never won in Clermont. Actually, I don’t think I have ever come within 40 points, to be honest. We had a couple of good home wins when I was at Brive because it is aderby for them. I’ll put it this way, the changing room was a scary place before that game.”

Stade Marcel Michelin’s daunting reputation has only increased since Browne ended seven years abroad with last summer’s return to Dublin. Their current unbeaten run there stands at 42 and counting, so Leinster will be thankful that they are making for Bordeaux instead.

“Yeah, it has to help... but as long as (Clermont) are in France, they don’t have much to complain about. They won’t be complaining about beds or food or things like that when they travel so it will be a tough task wherever the game is.”

Nine of Leinster’s number played at the Stade Chaban-Delmas for Ireland against France last August so the setting isn’t entirely new. Neither is an opponent with whom they come face to face for the fourth time in just 24 months.

In many ways, they are the French Leinster and Leinster are the Irish Clermont: both sides have emerged from the shadows of compatriots — Toulouse and Munster — thanks to superb facilities, coaching, and squads of frightening depth.

“They have everything, really,” said Browne of Vern Cotter’s outfit who, like the Irish province, are chasingsuccess on domestic and continental fronts. “They are the complete test for us or for anyone coming up against them.

“You know you are going to be taken on up front. It will be hugely physical but then they have these backs and play a great brand of open rugby. It is literally coming from every angle and they are very good at it.”

That guile depends on the grunts up front and, like all Top 14 clubs, Clermont have no shortage of beasts to establish platforms for the beautiful artistry of a back line that bristles with rapiers like Wesley Fofana and Julien Malzieu. Among them is PaulO’Connell’s old pal, Jamie Cudmore, the Canadian who earned a red card and subsequent five-week ban for his part in the off-the-ball engagement with the Munster captain in a Limerick pool game four seasons ago.

“I don’t know him personally but, from playing against him, he is a hard man,” said Browne. “He puts it about. Very physical and tough operator.”

The likes of Cudmore do more than get up an opponent’s nose. Such enforcers set the tone for their colleagues, in the dressing rooms before the match as well as on the turf during and their popularity is even more pronounced in the French game.

“They love it and they have produced many of them. They are very popular guys in the squads over there. They look up to them and they will have a big say behind the scenes, those sorts of guys in the changing room.

“You have got to be disciplined because they are needley, especially some of the players in the forwards. They are niggly kinds of guys. You have to stay on task and not drag into it, not waver from what you are meant to be doing for the good of the team.”