Christophe URIOS head coach of Clermont during the Top 14 match between Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne v Stade Rochelais at Stade Marcel Michelin on September 2, 2023 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport)
With seven tries in a second-half romp at Stade Marcel-Michelin, a rampant Clermont completely destroyed Ulster’s hopes of qualifying for the European Challenge Cup semifinals.
The northern province was unable to match the strength Clermont brought to the game, and after falling down 20–14 at halftime, they gave up 33 consecutive points and failed miserably to contain the extreme physicality of Pita Gus Sowakula and Peceli Yato, who each scored two tries.
Nick Timoney scored two tries in the first half, but the province failed to add to his total in the second forty minutes of play, leaving interim coach Richie Murphy to acknowledge, “We weren’t good enough and there’s a lot of stuff we need to look at.”
He continued, “The pressure from the scoreboard swings the crowd pressure and it all swings on top of you,” as Ulster now concentrates only on the URC.
When the province decided to tap and go under the Clermont posts, which John Cooney converted, Timoney got on the ball, giving the visitors the perfect start.
Clermont sealed the deal six minutes later. Following a lineout caused by a penalty thrown toward the corner, Baptiste Januneau made ground down the blindside before Yato was able to pass through and score. Converted by Anthony Belleau
The Clermont outhalf then gave his team the lead for the first time with a penalty in the 28th minute, and they soon extended it when Rob Baloucoune was called for a block on Aliveriti Raka.
After a penalty was called against the home team, it quickly became 20-7. Léon Darricarrere’s explosive run from the lineout also gave Sowakula the opportunity to smash his way over, which Belleau again converted.
However, this was just after Nathan Doak’s tap tackle by Sowakula had prevented a possible touchdown. And with the timer on red, Ulster awarded a kickable penalty to the corner, and Timoney scored his second goal with some strong close-range work. Cooney’s conversion placed the score at 20-14 at the break.
