Leinster are determined to score another famous victory over Clermont Auvergne on French soil – memories of their 2012 semi-final success remain fresh – in their bid to become European’s most decorated side. This afternoon’s last-four clash in Lyon is the province’s 150th European Cup match.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINAL: Sunday, April 23
CLERMONT AUVERGNE v LEINSTER, Matmut Stadium de Gerland, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time (live Sky Sports 3 HD/FR2/beIN Sports/Sky Italia/Newstalk/highlights TG4)
Team News: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his team to face Clermont Auvergne in today’s European Champions Cup semi-final at Lyon’s Stade de Gerland.
There is one injury enforced absence with Sean O’Brien ruled out with a tight hamstring. However, Cullen revealed that he will be assessed again next week ahead of the GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Glasgow Warriors. The 30-year-old back rower was named in the British & Irish Lions squad on Wednesday.
Otherwise, it is a very similar Leinster side to the one that accounted for Wasps at the quarter-final stage three weeks ago.
Isa Nacewa captains the province from the left wing on the occasion of his 50th European cap, with Fergus McFadden coming in on the right wing for his 150th Leinster appearance, taking over from Adam Byrne who has not made the matchday squad. The Old Belvedere clubman scored the clinching try against Wasps after replacing Byrne. Joey Carbery continues at full-back.
2017 Lion Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose renew their centre partnership with Luke McGrath and Jonathan Sexton at half-back. Sexton, who is set for his second Lions tour, reached the 1200-point mark for Leinster against Wasps with his 12 points from the boot.
The front row is again the all-Ireland international trio of Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss and Tadhg Furlong (two of whom are going on the Lions tour), and they are supported by Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs in the second row.
Rhys Ruddock, who was a try-scoring captain in last week’s derby win over Connacht, comes in at blindside flanker, with Dan Leavy moving across to the openside and Jack Conan continuing at number 8.
On the bench there is a welcome return to European action for fit-again hooker Sean Cronin, while Peter Dooley, who steps in for the suspended Cian Healy, is in line to make his first European appearance of the season should he be introduced.
Meanwhile, Clermont Auvergne boss Franck Azema has made just one enforced change to his starting line-up as former England international David Strettle returns on the right wing in place of the injured Noa Nakaitaci.
That is the only alteration to the side that ran out 29-9 quarter-final winners over French rivals Toulon at the start of the month. Forwards Benjamin Kayser, Davit Zirakashvili and Sebastien Vahaamahina are pencilled in to start despite doubts over their fitness.
Clermont will have the benefit of some inside information from forwards coach Jono Gibbes, who coached Leinster during their golden era of European success. And head coach Azema says his men are fully focused after so many near misses in previous cup campaigns – most notably the 2013 and 2015 finals.
“From time to time you find yourself representing the whole of France because other teams are eliminated. But above all we represent the Auvergne in this semi-final. We go into this game with a lot of concentration and clarity with the quality of the opponent that we will meet,” he said.
CLERMONT AUVERGNE: Scott Spedding; David Strettle, Aurelien Rougerie, Remi Lamerat, Nick Abendanon; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Raphael Chaume, Benjamin Kayser, Davit Zirakashvili, Arthur Iturria, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Damien Chouly (capt), Peceli Yato, Fritz Lee.
Replacements: John Ulugia, Etienne Falgoux, Aaron Jarvis, Paul Jedrasiak, Alexandre Lapandry, Ludovic Radosavljevic, Pato Fernandez, Damien Penaud.
LEINSTER: Joey Carbery; Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Isa Nacewa (capt); Jonathan Sexton, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson Park, Ross Byrne, Zane Kirchner.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Clermont Auvergne to win: 4/7; Draw: 19/1; Leinster to win: 13/8
Pre-Match Quotes: Fergus McFadden (Leinster) – “These weeks are the ones we all want to be involved in and it makes all the hard work and sacrifices worth it. Fighting for silverware with the best in Europe is where Leinster should be and it’s special. The last time the teams met in the knock-out stages was the semi-final in 2012. The game was in Bordeaux and I will never forget the atmosphere that day.
“The Leinster travelling support was incredible and the Clermont fans are some of the most passionate in France so the noise was deafening. I was on the bench that day and came on with 20 minutes to go so was on the pitch for the drama in the last play of the game when Wesley Fofana looked to have snatched a victory with a last-gasp try. Thankfully, (referee) Wayne Barnes went to the TMO and it was knocked on over the line as Gordon D’Arcy somehow managed to force the turnover as he was grounding the ball.
“I’ve no doubt this will be mentioned to the group that are going to Lyon on this occasion for Clermont about the opportunity of revenge. Jono Gibbes was Leinster’s forwards coach at the time so he will have them well-versed on where our strengths and weakness lie.
“They are a very different team now when you look at the teamsheet from that day but the style they play is still similar. They still have a big, powerful pack and a really dangerous back-line so we know how big a challenge it is against them in France and it’s really exciting for the group.
“It’s been the polar opposite to last season where we learned harsh lessons. This year we started with wins and won all our home pool games which is a must if you want to qualify for the knock-out stages. The amount of effort put in by a large pool of players has been outstanding and the depth of our squad this year has definitely been our biggest strength. Not every player can get into the 23 but those that do will get the opportunity and responsibility to represent the squad on Sunday.”
Nick Abendanon (Clermont Auvergne) – “Everyone believes in the team – the fans and players – as we all know we have quality in the team. It (winning the Champions Cup) has to happen at some stage. At the same time, you’re down to the four best teams in Europe. One team has to lose and sometimes that can’t be who you want it to be. We want it to be them and they (Leinster) want it to be us.
“We know having been in a lot of semi-finals and finals in the past that we need to learn from the losses we’ve had. This year, the boys have mentally taken a step up in terms of being able to deal with the pressure.
“Leinster got players with great skill in the back-line, who have a good understanding of the game. We know we need to be top of our game. (Johnny) Sexton against (Camille) Lopez will be great match-up. He controls their game. If we do our analysis well, hopefully our experience will show and we’ll put them under pressure.
“I hadn’t heard much about him (Joey Carbery) before that game. I know he usually plays out-half but I thought he was fantastic in that game against Wasps. Great pace, temperament, good rugby head and his ability to beat defenders is very special.
“He’s a young player who has come in and graved the opportunity. He’s on the list of dangerous players we have to keep an eye on. We don’t want to give them any space to do their stuff. It’s nice as a bit of an older guy to see younger players do that kind of stuff.”
Current Form – Clermont Auvergne – (Top 14 Championship): Drew 30-30 v La Rochelle (away), Won 26-22 v Montpellier (away), Drew 30-30 v Stade Francais (away), Won 47-10 v Racing 92 (home), Won 40-16 v Bordeaux-Bègles (home), Lost 23-21 v Toulon (away), Won 29-19 v Castres Olympique (home), Won 29-25 v Toulouse (home); (Champions Cup): Won 35-8 v Exeter Chiefs (away), Won 49-33 v Bordeaux-Bègles (home); (Top 14 Championship): Won 40-16 v Brive (away), Won 21-20 v Grenoble (home), Lost 22-14 v Bayonne (away), Won 16-13 v Lyon (home), Lost 40-35 v Pau (away); (Champions Cup): Lost 39-32 v Ulster (away), Won 38-19 v Ulster (home); (Top 14 Championship): Won 46-10 v Stade Francais (home), Lost 26-20 v Toulouse (away), Won 30-6 v Toulon (home); (Champions Cup): Won 9-6 v Bordeaux-Bègles (away), Won 48-26 v Exeter Chiefs (home); (Top 14 Championship): Drew 23-23 v Bordeaux-Bègles (away), Won 46-27 v Bayonne (home), Lost 26-16 v Castres Olympique (away), Lost 28-19 v Montpellier (home), Won 65-13 v Pau (home), Lost 27-24 v Racing 92 (away); (Champions Cup quarter-final): Won 29-9 v Toulon (home); (Top 14 Championship): Lost 26-21 v Brive (home), Won 59-18 v Grenoble (away)
Leinster – (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 20-8 v Benetton Treviso (home), Lost 33-25 v Glasgow Warriors (away), Won 33-20 v Edinburgh (away), Won 31-19 v Ospreys (home), Won 16-13 v Cardiff Blues (away), Won 25-14 v Munster (home); (Champions Cup): Won 33-15 v Castres Olympique (home), Lost 22-16 v Montpellier (away); (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 24-13 v Connacht (home), Won 33-10 v Zebre (away), Lost 38-29 v Scarlets (away), Won 28-15 v Newport Gwent Dragons (home); (Champions Cup): Won 37-10 v Northampton Saints (away), Won 60-13 v Northampton Saints (home); (GUINNESS PRO12): Lost 29-17 v Munster (away), Won 22-7 v Ulster (home), Won 70-6 v Zebre (home); (Champions Cup): Won 57-3 v Montpellier (home), Drew 24-24 v Castres Olympique (away); (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 40-14 v Benetton Treviso (away), Won 39-10 v Edinburgh (home), Won 54-22 v Newport Gwent Dragons (away), Won 45-9 v Scarlets (home), Won 22-21 v Cardiff Blues (home); (Champions Cup quarter-final): Won 32-17 v Wasps (home); (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 20-18 v Ospreys (away), Won 37-24 v Connacht (away)
Top Scorers – 2016/17 European Champions Cup: Clermont Auvergne – Points: Morgan Parra 74; Tries: Nick Abendanon 5; Leinster – Points: Isa Nacewa 80; Tries: Isa Nacewa 7
Previous European Meetings: 8
Saturday, December 15, 2012 – Pool 5 – Leinster 21 Clermont Auvergne 28, Aviva Stadium
Sunday, December 9, 2012 – Pool 5 – Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 12, Stade Marcel Michelin
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – Semi-final – Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 19, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Saturday, December 18, 2010 – Pool 2 – Leinster 24 Clermont Auvergne 8, Aviva Stadium
Sunday, December 12, 2010 – Pool 2 – Clermont Auvergne 20 Leinster 13, Stade Marcel Michelin
Friday, April 9, 2010 – Quarter-final – Leinster 29 Clermont Auvergne 28, the RDS
Friday, December 13, 2002 – Pool 4 – Leinster 12 Montferrand 9, Donnybrook
Saturday, December 7, 2002 – Pool 4 – Montferrand 20 Leinster 23, Stade Marcel Michelin
Match Facts –
– This will be Leinster’s ninth appearance in the semi-finals. Only Munster (12, including this season) and Toulouse (10) have reached the last-four more often
– This season’s number 1 seeds from the pool stages, Clermont Auvergne, are through to the semi-finals for the fifth time with their previous four games all coming since the beginning of 2011/12 (W2, L2)
– Sunday will be Leinster’s 150th European Cup match as they become the third team after Toulouse and Munster to reach the milestone. The three-time champions have won 97, drawn five and lost 47 of their previous 149 games
– This is the ninth meeting between the sides in Europe, and no team has faced Clermont more often than Leinster in the competition. Only Leicester Tigers (11) have played against the Irish province more often than the Top 14 outfit
– Clermont have won their last two matches against Leinster, this after losing five of the first six meetings. However, Leinster have won both knockout clashes between the two – the 2010 quarter-final at the RDS and the 2012 semi-final in Bordeaux
– Leinster are unbeaten in their last five Champions Cup games (W4, D1); the last time they went on a longer such run was their record breaking 17-game unbeaten streak from 2010 to 2012 (W16, D1), during which they lifted the trophy twice
– Leinster (37) and Clermont (34.3) have averaged more points per game in the competition this season than any other side
– Leinster are the only side with a 100% scrum success rate on their own ball
– Leinster captain Isa Nacewa has scored seven tries to date this season, at least two more than any other player, while Clermont’s Camille Lopez has made the most try assists with seven
– Sebastien Vahaamahina (80/88) has made more tackles than any other player in the competition this season, while team-mate Remi Lamerat has made the most of any back (64/75)
European Cup Records:
Clermont Auvergne –
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2014/15: Runners-up
2013/14: Reached the semi-finals
2012/13: Runners-up
2011/12: Reached the semi-finals
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2009/10: Reached the quarter-finals
2008/09: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2005/06: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2002/03: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2001/02: Reached the quarter-finals
1999/00: Reached the quarter-finals
Leinster –
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2014/15: Reached the semi-finals
2013/14: Reached the quarter-finals
2012/13: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2011/12: Champions
2010/11: Champions
2009/10: Reached the semi-finals
2008/09: Champions
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2006/07: Reached the quarter-finals
2005/06: Reached the semi-finals
2004/05: Reached the quarter-finals
2003/04: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2002/03: Reached the semi-finals
2001/02: Reached the quarter-finals
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1998/99: Failed to qualify from Pool A
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool A
1996/97: Failed to qualify from Pool B
1995/96: Reached the semi-finals
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