Clermont wary of faltering Bordeaux

CLERMONT are flying high in the league but Camille Lopez has quickly switched his attention to Europe as they look to book their place in the quarterfinals with a round to spare.

Fresh from thumping Toulon 30-6 to remain at the top of the Top14 table, Clermont go into the last two rounds of the Champions Cup needing only a draw to reach the last eight.

A home quarter-final is also very much on the cards but fly-half Lopez is fully aware of the challenge that awaits his side.

He said: “We expect a tough game against a big Bordeaux team, they’re strong up front and capable of playing with movement.

“They came very close to beating Montpellier last weekend which is no easy feat. But we have to finish the job and if we want a quarter-final at home, we must have two good results in the next two weeks.”

Bordeaux, trailing Clermont by eight points in Pool 5, can still qualify for the knock-out stages but they need to beat both Clermont today and Ulster in Belfast.

And after four consecutive defeats in all competitions, boss Raphael Ibanez is more interested about the performance than the outcome.

He said: “We have two tough games but the main message to the players is to make sure we perform when we’re on the pitch.

“I really hope we can return to playing some good rugby and I expect a lot from these matches.”

Ibanez makes eight changes to his starting XV with Irishman Ian Madigan and French sensation Baptiste Serin at half-back.

Clermont make two changes – Sebastien Vahaamahina and Paul Jedrasiak coming in at lock.