Match Reports

Report | Ulster 34 Clermont 31

22nd January 2022
Ulster made it four wins from four in the Heineken Champions Cup as they held on to defeat ASM Clermont Auvergne in front of a sold-out Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening.

The hosts had to spend the opening few phases without the ball as Clermont carried hard into a robust Ulster defence. Eventually, Ulster got the penalty after Clermont were caught not rolling away and they made their way into visitor territory. Angus Curtis, Billy Burns and Mike Lowry were able to sneak through the smallest of gaps to make good ground.

Another penalty came Ulster’s way and Billy Burns kicked to touch for the line-out 5 metres out. The men in red went for the maul and Rob Herring finished it off by bundling in at the left-hand corner. The tricky conversion attempt by Doak bounced off the uprights to leave the score 5-0 after eight minutes.

The French side narrowed the gap to two points after Ulster were penalised for not rolling away, and Morgan Parra obliged with the three points.

Ulster found themselves under pressure in the scrum and the visitors managed to force a penalty, which allowed Parra to land another three points to take the lead.

Poor discipline from Clermont brought Ulster back into a great position with a 5-metre attacking lineout. The hosts were patient and worked the ball back inside and eventually put it into the hands of Mike Lowry who scythed through the Clermont defence to score.

Almost immediately after the re-start, Parra had another penalty opportunity inside Ulster’s half and landed another three points to bring it to within one point.

Ulster were punished again on 34 minutes for not rolling away in a kickable area for Morgan Parra, and he made no mistake with the kick to re-take the lead.

The hosts soon responded, however, and Rob Herring claimed his second after another 5-metre line-out. Alivereti Raka found himself yellow-carded for not rolling away in the danger zone and again Herring peeled away from the ensuing maul to power over. Nathan Doak fired over the conversion to put Ulster five ahead at the break.

The home side were first to get on the board in the second half after Clermont were penalised for having a player in front of the kicker. Nathan Doak nudged the penalty over to extend Ulster’s lead.

The wind was now in Ulster’s sails, and Mike Lowry set in motion their bonus-point try after racing down the left wing only to be brought down just short. Duane Vermeulen showed great strength to muscle over for his first try in an Ulster jersey.

The lion’s share of possession and territory was Ulster’s as they looked to bag a fifth try. They had a number of opportunities, but it was Robert Baloucoune who ran in on 65 minutes. Billy Burns took over the kicking duties after Doak’s departure and landed the conversion.

The French side came to life with two tries in quick succession through Jacobus Van Tonder and Alivereti Raka, cutting the gap to ten points. Just four minutes later, they struck again with their captain, Judicaël Cancoriet getting on the score sheet. Lopez got the conversion to bring the game to within just three points.

The packed-out crowd got behind their province as ‘Stand Up For The Ulster Men’ rang out around Kingspan Stadium in the final few minutes, and the men in red held on to go unbeaten in the Heineken Champions Cup Pool Stages.

Full-time score: Ulster 34 ASM Clermont Auvergne 31

Worth Another Look

Star of the Match

Scorers

Ulster

Tries: Rob Herring (2), Mike Lowry, Duane Vermeulen, Robert Baloucoune

Cons: Nathan Doak (2) Billy Burns

Pens: Nathan Doak

Clermont

Tries: Jacobus Van Tonder, Alivereti Raka, Judicaël Cancoriet

Cons: Camile Lopez (2)

Pens: Morgan Parra (4)

Line-ups

Ulster

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Angus Curtis, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Kieran Treadwell, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Brad Roberts, Jack McGrath, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, David Shanahan, Ben Moxham, Craig Gilroy.

Clermont

(15-9) Cheik Tiberghien, Marvin O'Connor, Jean-Pascal Barraque, Tani Vili, Alivereti Raka, JJ Hanrahan, Morgan Parra;

(1-8) Etienne Falgoux, Yohan Beheregaray, Rabah Slimani, Paul Jedrasiak, Tomas Lavanini, Judicaël Cancoriet (Capt.), Lucas Dessaigne, Jacobus Van Tonder.

Replacements: Etienne Fourcade, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Cristian Ojovan, Sébastien Vahaamahina, Fritz Lee, Kevin Viallard, Camille Lopez, Damian Penaud.

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Up next at Kingpspan Stadium

Attention turns back to the United Rugby Championship, with Ulster hosting Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening (7.35pm kick-off), before welcoming Connacht for their rescheduled Round 8 fixture the following Friday (8.15pm kick-off).

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