Jono Gibbes praying Clermont can lay cup ‘curse’ to rest

In Clermont they call it the “malédiction”, the curse that has seen them lose all but one of their 14 finals.

Since their solitary success, beating Perpignan in the 2010 Top 14 decider, the men in the yellow and blue have added to their roll-call of reverses by suffering two defeats in the Champions Cup, both against Toulon, in 2013 and 2015.

No wonder that there’s an air of trepidation among the fans, the famous Yellow Army, as the 2017 final looms. You can’t escape rugby in Clermont. It’s everywhere and everyone wants to talk about the sport that gives their city its identity. Barmen, businesswomen, shopkeepers, stall holders, they all have something to say about today’s final against Saracens - and yet they’re all agreed on one thing - the English are the favourites.