Laidlaw in charge as Clermont reclaim top
“Aussie winger Blair Connor was sent off for the first time in his long career with Bordeaux, whom he joined nine years ago in Division Two”
Clermont, whose last outing took place in the Land of the Rising Sun, returned to find their own star still burning bright. While others were on holiday, they won an ambassadorial game in Japan.
And, when the more serious action resumed yesterday, they beat Bordeaux-Begles 40-15 to reclaim their place astride the Top 14.
With a real chance of keeping the leadership away from Toulouse, whose troops, depleted by their absent French internationals, visit a strong Racing side today.
Bordeaux cannot say they were not warned. Alexandre Roumat, their flanker, said on the eve of the game: “Clermont get 30 to 40 points at home unless Toulouse are the opposition. So we know what awaits us.”
A spot-on piece of forecasting in the event, though he was not to know his team would play most of the second half with only 14 men. That is because Aussie winger Blair Connor was sent off for the first time in his long career with Bordeaux, whom he joined nine years ago in Division Two.
His tackle left English full-back Nick Abendanon landing on his head, the last thing he wanted while recovering from an operation on his neck. Abendanon was able, however, to continue and played until close to the finish.
As for Connor, the incident took the shine off the try he had scored in just two minutes to give Bordeaux the lead for the only time.
Clermont’s four tries all came from their forwards with their star backs on France duty. Flanker Alexandre Fischer, 21, scored the first on his debut and Kiwi No.8 Peceli Yato the second.
Lock Paul Jedrasiak marked his decision to turn down a move to Lyon to sign a new contract with the third. And replacement flanker Alexandre Lapandry wrapped up the scoring on the siren on his return from three months out with a broken hand.
Fijian winger Semi Radradra’s brilliant solo try on the hour denied a bonus point for Clermont, who were grateful to Scotland for releasing scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.
In fact, Laidlaw, making light of the absence of Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez, whom he will face at the Stade de France for his country next Saturday, kicked 20 points.
Lyon moved into third place with a display which announces them as credible contenders for the title under manager Pierre Mignoni, touted by many as a future France boss.
Beating Stade Francais 24-13 in Paris was not only encouraging for them, it was also devastating for Stade, who had been trying to paper over the cracks of an internal crisis.
Billionaire owner Hans Peter Wild had fired popular coach Julien Dupuy in the face of several players contesting the rule of South African team boss Heyneke Meyer.
In the build-up to this game, he had separate meetings with leading players, Italian No.8 Sergio Parisse, lock Yann Maestri and Argentine fly-half Nicolas Sanchez.
He also hosted two dinners with ten players invited to each one without, it appears, caring about those who were snubbed.
What Wild then required was a performace to lift the spirits of team and fans. What he got was a derisive whistles from sections of the crowd.
At that stage, Lyon were 14-3 ahead despite a yellow card for Argentine prop Francisco Gomes Kodela and thanks largely to a try from Kiwi winger Rudi Wulf.
Stade were unable to score one of their own until six minutes from time when the match was already lost. It went to centre Jonathan Danty to mark his 150th game for the club.
By that time, winger Noa Nakaitaci had put the game beyond reach catching an inspired kick by itinerant fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski.
Lyon are Wisniewski’s sixth Top 14 club and, wherever he goes, he is generally among the best goal-kickers around. His boot won 14 points.
Perpignan fly-half Enzo Selponi, who has signed for Grenoble next season, will say goodbye with a magical memory. Not only did his superb performance deliver a 28-10 victory on the ground of his home-town club with whom he started his career. It also brought to an end a ghastly series of 15 consecutive defeats.
Selponi created his team’s only try for winger Jean-Bernard Pujol and added all the other points. He was given an ovation by the fans for whom he once played.
Becoming Perpignan’s only victims of the season, especially at home, plunges Montpellier deeper into crisis. A top-six place begins to look beyond a side assembled at great cost by billionaire Mohed Altrad and manager Vern Cotter looks increasingly vulnerable.
Just as well for him, perhaps, that Pau, struggling one place below, were beaten 14-9 by champions Castres. It was Pau’s fifth defeat in eight home games. Two yellow cards for Irish lock Dave Foley and Aussie flanker Ben Mowen in the first half marked a badtempered first half. Castres’ early try was registered by centre Thomas Combazou.
In the late game Agen held off Toulon 19 - 10 to move ahead of Grenoble and out of the relegation zone.