Northampton coach Jim Mallinder admits Clermont loss was among his career worst
Saturday 4 April 2015 22:16, UK
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said his side’s 37-5 Champions Cup loss to Clermont was one of the worst defeats of his career.
Saints are 10 points clear at the top of the Aviva Premiership but were routed at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, where the home side racked up a 27-0 lead in the first half and outscored their opponents four to one on tries.
Clermont were simply irresistible and Mallinder admitted his team were out of the contest by the interval on a ‘shocker’ of a night.
Mallinder said: "It's one of the worst defeats I've experienced. We've had a few shockers and that's definitely one of them.
"We're disappointed because clearly we wanted to progress and have the chance of a home semi-final. We have to take this on the chin.
"We were well beaten. We came up against a very, very good side. Clermont played very well and we didn't. When you're losing 27-0 at half-time, that's basically game over.
"You come into these games knowing you have a chance, but that you'll have to play to your very best.
"We didn't do that and so were well beaten. Now our focus has to be on retaining the Premiership, it's as simple as that."
Wing Noa Nakaitaci claimed two tries and his France team-mate Wesley Fofana and former Bath full-back Nick Abendanon also crossed as England's reigning champions and league leaders were put to the sword.
It took until the 68th minute for Northampton to register their first and only points through a try by Alex Waller.
"We talked about needing to make a good start and shutting the crowd up, but completely the opposite happened," Mallinder said.
"Clermont made a cracking start, put us under pressure and we clearly didn't compete in the first half in any of the areas.
"The set-piece didn't function. The physicality wasn't there. We couldn't keep hold of the ball, spilling it too often. Our kicking and kick chase were also poor."
Northampton's status as Premiership champions points to a gulf in class between the English and French leagues that Mallinder was in no hurry to deny.
"The top French teams are very, very good. And at times we are very good, but not in this match," Mallinder said.
"On this performance it would be hard to argue against it (there being a gulf in class), but we have competed against their top sides in the past."
