Cotter acquires taste for Heineken

Clermont Auvergne head coach Vern Cotter believes the time is right for his French side to buck the trend of placing more importance on domestic competition than on attaining European glory.

Agonisingly close to securing a place in last year’s decider, the French giants will put Top 14 aspirations aside and throw everything at winning the Heineken Cup.

Cotter insisted after his side’s impressive victory over champions Leinster that all concentration must now centre on qualifying for the knockout stages and from there on succeeding Joe Schmidt’s side as European kingpins.