European Champions Cup: Clermont sneak past Sale at AJ Bell Stadium
Last Updated: 17/01/15 9:06pm
Clermont Auvergne were given a real scare at the AJ Bell Stadium but survived to beat Sale 22-13 on Saturday.
The win put the French giants top of Pool One – one point ahead of Saracens – and sets up a winner-takes-all clash next weekend between two sides who have serious aspirations in the competition.
Despite dominating all aspects of the game, Clermont had to rely on a late Fritz Lee try to secure the win and their indiscipline almost cost them dearly as they were down to 13 men at one stage.
Camille Lopez opened the scoring for Clermont with a well-taken penalty but the visitors were then dealt a blow when Aurelien Rougerie suffered an arm injury and was replaced by Jonathan Davies.
Sale soon responded with a routine penalty from Danny Cipriani, but Clermont looked very dangerous with ball in hand and Davies looked full of running. Clermont continued to ask questions of the hosts, but they struggled to create genuine try-scoring opportunities and Sale’s defence started to frustrate the visitors.
Cipriani had a chance to put Sale ahead in the 28th minute but his long-range penalty, after Clermont were punished for putting hands in the ruck, sailed wide of the target.
Shortly before the break, Lopez booted another well-placed penalty to put Clermont 6-3 up at the interval.
Sale began brightly after the restart and penned Clermont back inside their own half during the opening exchanges.
The pendulum then swung in favour of the hosts as Wesley Fofana was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle and Sale made the most of the extra man. They were awarded a penalty try after an excellent rolling maul.
Things got worse for Clermont as, immediately after the penalty try was scored, they were down to 13 men when Jamie Cudmore was also sin-binned.
Cool heads were needed as Lopez stepped up to cut the deficit to just one point and the same player then gave Clermont a 12-10 lead with his third penalty with 12 minutes remaining.
It was a nervy finish for both sides as the lead swung back and forth as first Cipriani gave Sale the lead with a penalty before Lopez responded with one of his own. Lee then secured the win for the visitors with a powerful run off the back of a scrum and Lopez converted to see Clermont home.
