Saracens suffer narrow loss to Clermont Auvergne in Champions Cup semi-final
Last Updated: 18/04/15 5:55pm
Saracens bowed out of the European Champions Cup after a brave and battling 13-9 loss to Clermont Auvergne in St Etienne.
France star Wesley Fofana scored the game's solitary try just after half-time as French heavyweights Clermont denied Sarries back-to-back final appearances.
Saracens were left to reflect on what might have been following a performance packed with courage and intent.
Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell each kicked penalties, while Hodgson also dropped a goal, but Clermont triumphed through Fofana's sweet finish, plus a Brock James conversion and two penalties.
It was not pretty, and there was little gilt-edged attacking rugby on show from either team, yet it proved to be an absorbing, attritional battle that ultimately went Clermont's way.
Cheered on by a huge Clermont support inside the Stade Geoffroy-Bouchard, the 2013 European runners-up began strongly, but they were met by some resolute Saracens defending.
James was off target with an early drop-goal attempt and Hodgson showed him how it is done on 15 minutes to break the deadlock.
Clermont quickly responded through a reminder of their attacking prowess and looked to have sent Napolioni Nalaga over in the corner, despite pressure from Chris Ashton, but the wing failed to ground the ball in play.
Referee George Clancy consulted the television match official Simon McDowell before the try was ruled out, although no judgement was made on Ashton's tackle, which appeared to be an arms-free hit and potentially illegal.
James then tied things up with a penalty that went over via the post, but Saracens had successfully avoided a first-half surge from Clermont which was in evidence when they swamped Northampton.
Hodgson missed a long-range penalty chance 10 minutes before half-time, but he then bisected Clermont's posts from similar range to give Saracens a 6-3 interval lead.
Clermont responded brilliantly early in the second period, opening up Saracens' defence through a clever James kick that was gathered on the bounce by Fofana, who touched down complete with celebratory dive.
James added the conversion to give Clermont a 10-6 lead, and it gave the French side a head of steam.
Farrell was introduced for the final quarter for his first piece of competitive action since January, but the marginal calls were starting to go against Saracens as Clermont targeted a territorial edge.
Farrell kicked a penalty with 14 minutes remaining to set up an intense finale, but Clermont were not to be denied, and another James penalty six minutes from time sealed the deal.
Watch the second Champions Cup semi-final between Toulon and Leinster live on Sky Sports 2 on Sunday from 2.30pm
