Courtney Lawes believes Northampton Saints can shock Clermont

Courtney Lawes is confident Northampton can maintain their superb away form when they travel to Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

Saints have won nine games on the road this season, including two in Europe, and travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin on the back of a 22-point victory over Wasps last weekend.

Clermont boast an impressive home record, particularly in the Champions Cup where they are unbeaten in 22 matches, but Lawes believes they can halt that streak.

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“I think we’ve got as good a chance as anyone,” said the England second row. “Clermont are a fantastic team and are capable of beating anyone, but so are we.

“If we go out there and play like we know we can, we’ve got a good chance of sneaking a win.”

A home defeat to Racing Metro in their final pool game cost Northampton a home quarter-final, and to add insult to injury they were handed the difficult trip to the Massif Central.

The record of English teams in France is poor, losing eight successive quarter-finals with Saints’ victory in Biarritz in 2007 the only last-eight success for an English club.

Saracens were outmuscled when they visited the Stade Marcel-Michelin during the pool stages of this season’s tournament, and Lawes admits they cannot afford a sluggish start similar to what they produced against Wasps.

“We’ve got to stop Clermont from getting momentum,” said the 26-year-old. “If they get over the gainline consistently early on, you’ve not got a chance. Our defence is going to be paramount to stopping them.

“As a collective unit they’re very good. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting out there and seeing what they’re about.”

Momentum

Northampton backs coach Alex King had a stint in France with Clermont and he has been informing Lawes and his team-mates about the intimidating atmosphere that awaits them on Saturday.

“When we lost to Racing Metro in Paris the crowd got on top and the momentum started to tell,” said Lawes. “If we can stop that from happening on Saturday we’re in with a good chance.

We’ve got to stop Clermont from getting momentum. If they get over the gainline consistently early on, you’ve not got a chance.

“One of the big things is that we’ve been together for so long as a team. We’ve literally been playing together for two years.

“We’ve won a Premiership and Challenge Cup final together and just know how to play when we go away, which is a great thing. “

Lawes has played five games since making his return from an ankle injury at the end of February. Two of those came with England as they narrowly missed out on a Six Nations title, and Lawes was delighted with the faith shown in him by Stuart Lancaster.

“To get a start when I came back in was awesome," he said. "I didn’t have to force my way in, so it’s good to have that trust.

“The competition for places is tough, though. The more competition there is the less likely you are to get that spot. It keeps you on your toes and makes sure you don’t get complacent. You’ve got to go out in every game and give it your all. Otherwise you might miss out on the chance to represent your country in a World Cup.”

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