The rugby team from Clermont Auvergne was thought to be the unluckiest in French rugby history for a long time.
Before ending the unfortunate run, the Sharks’ opponents in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final had previously lost 10 straight finals in the French Top 14 competition. Part of the reason for breaking the unlucky streak was a lucky charm from South Africa. 2009 and 2010 saw Clermont win the trophy for the first time, with John Smit, the captain of the Springboks, playing for them.
Since the club was founded in the early 1900s to represent the Michelin tyre company, which has operated a factory in Montferrand since 1889, a lot has changed. The club was founded by Marcel Michelin, the son of the tyre goliaths, and was formerly known as AS Michelin before having to change their name due to legal complications.
They still play at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin for their home games, and they wear the classic Michelin colours of yellow and blue.
The Sharks this week will benefit greatly from Clermont’s extensive experience in the Challenge and Champions Cups. They have won the Challenge Cup three times, in 1999, 2007 and 2019. They finished second in the Champions Cup in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
The French squad is skilled at winning Challenge Cup games, but their recent performance in the Top 14 may be even more concerning. Despite a sluggish start to the competition, they defeated Stade Francais 41–18 over the weekend.
Their strength lies in their formidable pack. They have a number of seasoned international players, including the tough Argentina duo of Tomas Lavinini and Marcus Kremer, as well as a scattering of France World Cup players. Aside from the Wallaby hooker Folau Fainga’a, their tight five also includes two enormous Georgians.
