French under no illusions about Thomond test

Never let it be said that the French don’t do hyperbole. Above the match analysis and the regulation quotes, the rugby newspaper Midi-Olympique has chosen to headline Clermont’s trip to Thomond Park: "Aux Portes de l’Enfer", At the Gates of Hell.

This is no slur on the nature of Limerick as a city – they haven’t all read Frank McCourt — but rather on the heat the Clermontois can expect to feel as they attempt to become the first French team ever to beat Munster at Thomond and perhaps the fear that they can expect a severe grilling.

This game has already taken on the measure of what the Greeks would call katabases. Orpheus nips off to find Eurydice, Heracles swings low to capture Cerberus, Camille Lopez pops over a last minute drop goal to win the match. You get the drift.

“I don’t know many stadiums in Europe but this one (Thomond) is special,” says the France number ten Lopez who suffered a bad knee injury while playing there last year for Perpignan.

“I play at a club where the atmosphere is extraordinary, the best in the Top 14. But at a European level, you have to experience Munster at Thomond Park when you are out on the pitch. It is another world completely. You really feel that the entire city is pushing behind their team.”

The problem with hyperbole is that it can easily override reality in the minds of the players; beaten before they take their first step into the underworld. So, it is well that Clermont will bring some English sang-froid with them.

“I have never played at Thomond Park,” says former Bath full-back Nick Abendanon. “It is one of those grounds that I have always wanted to experience. You hear all the stories about it, the hostility, the silence for the kickers, the passion. It is a hard place to go and the stats aren’t in our favour but it isn’t one to fear. It is one to enjoy.”

Abendanon, twice capped by England as a 20-year-old, arrived in the summer after eight years at Bath. Now 28, he is one of a clutch of players to come in to reshape a Clermont side that was looking towards a new chapter following Vern Cotter’s departure for Scotland.

“With Vern going, the club have drawn a line in the sand,” he says. “That era is over and now we have the chance to build a new one.”

Cotter spent eight years in the Massif Central, a period of consistent success which saw them win the French championship in 2009-10, reach two other finals, and make it through to the Heineken Cup final in 2013 when they lost to Toulon. They also went an extraordinary 77 games unbeaten at home in the Top 14, a reminder to Munster that the return fixture next week will also be a trip to Hades.

“It was a huge success but now the coach (Franck Azéma) is trying to change the philosophy,” says Abendanon. “We have an amazing backline, players like Wesley Fofana and Camille Lopez and some skilful forwards. We have the capacity to play some exciting, attacking rugby.”

The presence of former Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes on the Clermont staff has also given them a headstart in preparing for today’s game.

“Jono has been very useful with this. After his time at Leinster he obviously knows Munster very well,” says Abendanon.

“He has talked about the passion they play with and told us that if we can live with it up to the 60 minute mark, then all bets are off.

“We are going there to win but we know that at the very least we have to take a bonus point. I know we have the return fixture to come but If Munster win they take the initiative in the group. It is a crucial game for us.”