Despite a competitive first half that saw Ulster trail the home side by just six points, Clermont impressed in the second half with four tries that ended the contest.
Richie Murphy’s team started fast out of the blocks, building some good attacking phases through good quick ball and accurate passing. The Ulster men were meeting the physical battle head on, with both sides working hard in the breakdown as they looked for the upper hand. Ulster also enjoyed some success at scrum-time, with Ulster's forward pack looking strong at the set piece.
Ulster received an early blow, with full-back, Stewart Moore, withdrawn just five minutes into the contest. Ethan McIlroy replaced the Ballymoney man, which would leave the province with one back option on the bench, given the 6:2 split.
Ulster struck the first blow of the Quarter-Final, and were good value for their lead. Ulster’s in-form back-rower, Nick Timoney, dotted the ball down after a 5m tap and go penalty, with John Cooney adding the extra two from the tee.
The home side got back level quickly, punishing Ulster, who had given away their first penalty of the match. From the lineout maul, Peceli Yato, found space and dotted down for the home side's first of the day. Anthony Belleau converted the score.
Ulster found the scoreline slipping away, after conceding two penalties that were taken by Belleau.
With the home side in the ascendancy, Pita-Gus Sowakula, scored the home side's second converted try to leave Ulster cursing their errors in the half.
With the clock in the red, Ulster refused to end the half quietly and were rewarded for their efforts. Another try from Nick Timoney, after a well- executed lineout in the Clermont 22 narrowed the score line going into the break, with John Cooney adding the extra two points from an awkward angle.
HT: 20-14
Ulster made one change in coming out for the restart, with Dave Ewers replacing captain, Iain Henderson, due to a foot injury.
After the break, the home side made a dominant start to the half, furthering the score line a few minutes after the restart. A penalty opportunity was missed by Belleau after a handful of minutes but that didn’t stop the French getting their first try of the half moments later.
Full back-Alex Newsome punished Ulster on the left wing, after some slick passing between the Clermont backs on the left wing. Newsome was sent clear and sprinted through for a simple finish. Belleau made no mistake from the tee.
Ulster received further injury blows in the minutes to follow, with try-scorer, Nick Timoney, and Steven Kitshoff, both being withdrawn due to injury.
The contest felt put to bed when the impressive Clermont eight, Pita-Gus Sowakula, powered over the line from a 5m lineout.
Further tries from Simmons, Yato and Jurand added to Clermont’s commanding lead, as they put on a show in front of their fans in the French sunshine.
The province had chased a consolation try towards the end of the 80, but replacement prop, Scott Wilson,’s dive over the top of the Clermont rear-guard was held up well.
Ulster will now turn their attention towards getting back on track in the BKT United Rugby Championship, with a first home match at Kingspan Stadium since the bonus point victory against Dragons in early March.
Scorers
Ulster
TRY: Timoney x2
CON: Cooney x2
Clermont:
TRY: Yato x2, Sowakula x2, Newsome, Simmons, Jurand
PEN: Belleau x2
CON: Belleau x4, Delguy, Bezy
Teams
Ulster
(15-9) Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Nathan Doak, John Cooney;
(1-8) Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (C), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Stewart (Herring), Warwick (Kitshoff), Wilson (O’Toole), Izuchukwu (O’Connor), Ewers (Henderson), Flannery (Doak), McIlroy (Moore), Rea (Timoney)
Clermont
(15-9) Newsome; Delguy, Darricarrere, Heriteau, Raka; Belleau, Jauneau (capt);
(1-8) Beria, Beheregaray, Slimani; Lanen, Lavanini; Tixeront, Yato, Sowakula.
Replacements: Fourcade, Bibi Biziwu, Dzmanashvili, Simmons, Fischer, Bezy, Giral, Jurand.