CLERMONT AUVERGNE STORMED into the semi-final of the Champions Cup after an imperious 37- 5 win over Northampton Saints.
English fullback Nick Abendandon starred for the French club as they showed off their trademark ruthless attacking streak despite the absence of out-half Camille Lopez.
Brock James instead took the reins and ensure a seamless transition as 2013 runners-up ran out victors by four tries to one.
A missed Stephen Myler penalty was the closest the English Champions would come to the scoreboard in the first half. And, as is usually their wont, the hosts at Stade Michelin did the damage in the opening 40 minutes with a brace from Noa Nakaitaci before Wesley Fofana carved the Saints defence apart to help the hosts to a 27 – 0 advantage at the break.
In previous guises, Clermont have tended to run out of steam after the interval, but under Jono Gibbes and Franck Azema the Top 14 side kept their foot on the pedal. James stretched the lead with one of his seven successful kicks (a 100% return) before Abendandon rounded off an excellent performance with a superb individual try, ripping possession away in his own half before grounding Clermont’s fourth.
It took until the 67th minute when Clermont 37 points up and down two men – with influential flanker Julien Bonnaire in the sin-bin and Fritz Lee lost to injury – before the Saints were able to rumble over the try-line.
Replacement prop Alex Waller was awarded the score, though he was fortunate referee John Lacey decided to take no action after he threw a punch rather than celebrate the breakthrough.
With Bonnaire back on the field, the Massif Central club maintained control until the final whistle to ensure Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard would host a European semi-final in two weeks’ time.
Tomorrow, Jonathan Sexton’s Racing Metro will take on Saracens for the right to join them there.
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