BERNARD JACKMAN: Early grip vital for Red machine in Michelin country

Munster are a team who have often faced — and overcome — huge hurdles in the Heineken Cup. Tomorrow, in the south of France, they face another of those seemingly impossible challenges.

Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne — or ASM as they are more commonly called — now have one of the most famous names in French rugby. The city of Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne region was famous for being home of Michelin. Now the rugby club takes that mantle.

The Michelin family and corporation have close links with the club and financed the construction of their stadium and some of the star-studded squad.