In the Challenge Cup quarter-final match, Clermont Auvergne accomplished a smashing victory with a score of 53-14 against Ulster. With such a setback, Ulster’s aspiration to make it to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup was crushed by an unfettered Clermont. The team demonstrated their skills with a whopping seven attempts at a goal during the explosive second half which took place at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
As the match unfolded, Ulster proved to be overwhelmed against the formidable force brought forth by Clermont. After the initial half, Ulster lagged behind with a score of 20-14, and in the proceeding play, they conceded an overwhelming 33 points without retaliation. Ulster also struggled to curb the exceptional physical prowess demonstrated by Peceli Yato and Pita Gus Sowakula, both players managing to score two goals each.
Reflecting on the match, interim coach Richie Murphy expressed, “We simply did not meet the mark and there are several areas where we need to improve”. Despite Nick Timoney’s initial two attempts at scoring during the first half, Ulster saw a barren second half with no scores. “The burden of the scoreboard surely affects crowd support and the entire scenario then turns against you,” he further added. With this letdown in the match, Ulster now solely shifts their attention to the URC.
Ulster’s match began positively as Timoney managed to get his hands on the ball after a tap and go under the Clermont posts, which was converted by John Cooney. However, six minutes later, Clermont managed to equalise the score. A penalty led to a lineout towards the corner where Baptiste Januneau made ground before Yato was sent through a gap to score. Anthony Belleau managed to convert this into a scored point.
Clermont took the lead for the first time with a penalty scored by their outhalf in the 28th minute, followed by an increase in their lead after Rob Baloucoune was alleged for a block on Aliveriti Raka. They soon increased their lead to 20-7 when another penalty led to a lineout where Léon Darricarrere’s run allowed Sowakula to crash his way over, which was converted by Belleau.
But not long after, Sowakula intercepted Nathan Doak and prevented a potential score. As the first half approached its end, Ulster managed to put a kickable penalty towards the corner and through a close-ranged forcible attempt, Timoney managed to make his way for a second goal, leaving the halftime score at 20-14 after a conversion by Cooney.
Despite an initial missed penalty from Belleau, he successfully recouped by converting from a demanding angle once Alex Newsome made a swift run down the narrow side. This raised the lead to 27-14. However, things went wrong for Ulster. Sowakula charged over for his second and Rob Simmons broke through following a lineout turnover.
The situation further deteriorated when Yato scored once more at 68 minutes and Joris Jurand followed suit in the game’s final minute. The CLERMONT team included A Newsome; B Delguy, L Darricarrere, J Heriteau, A Raka; A Belleau, B Jauneau (capt); G Beria, Y Beheregaray, R Slimani; T Lanen, T Lavanini; K Tixeront, P Yato, P-G Sowakula.
Substitutions were made, with A Fischer being swapped for Tixeront on the 49th minute and others following suit. The ULSTER team was composed of S Moore; R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, M Lowry; N Doak, J Cooney; S Kitshoff, R Herring, T O’Toole; A O’Connor, I Henderson (capt); H Sheridan, David McCann, N Timoney.
Their first substitution was E McIlroy replacing Moore in the 5th minute, followed by several others. C Ridley from England played referee for the match.