By Behindthebench
January 23 2015

European Rugby Champions Cup.  Stade Marcel Michelin.  Sunday 25 January.  ASM Clermont Auvergne have been an intriguing barometer for Saracens' progress in top flight European Rugby since their 2010/2011 return to it. Back then, although Sarries came into the season after the heartbreaking loss to Leicester Tigers ended the previous campaign, and notwithstanding the superb Quarter Final win against Ospreys and narrow semi-final defeat to Munster in 2008, their recent European history had been modest in 2010. Stark contrast to where the club finds itself nowadays, in a winner takes all encounter for a Quarter Final berth as one of the most consistent, and feared, sides in European competition.  

2010/2011 saw Saracens matched with reigning French champions Clermont. Leinster, who would go on to win the competition that year, and emerging challengers Racing Metro 92, in a pool which in some ways was even more daunting than the one faced this season. The first, rather than last game, of the pool stage was in Montferrand where Jamie Cudmore, Julien Malzieu and Napolioni Nalaga got the tries for the hosts in a 25-10 win, as David Strettle got the visitors' only reply. A narrow defeat followed to Leinster at Wembley, where Saracens narrowly failed to add to Alex Goode's try in the dying stages as they lost 25-23. It was three defeats from three as the next game brought a 24-21 home defeat to Racing Metro 92, most remembered perhaps for then Director of Rugby's bizarre post-match interview. Out of contention already, a 19-14 win at Racing in the return game restored some pride as Brad Barritt's try was added to by 14 Owen Farrell points. It was a temporary respite, though, as a 43-20 demolition in the RDS was followed by a Friday night win for Clermont Auvergne, in which they claimed a 24-14 win and the bonus point, thanks to Wesley Fofana, Willie Wepener, Tasesa Lavea and Ti'i Paulo. As in the away game, Strettle got his side's only try.

2011/2012 was admittably a kinder pool, containing Ospreys, Benneton Treviso and Biarritz, as Sarries won five out of six and collected a losing bonus point at Biarritz. That delivered a home Quarter Final, and another meeting with Clermont, whose forward power in their 22-3 win proved something of a watershed moment as Sarries prioritised recruitment in the forwards, which ultimately led to the acquisition of James Johnston and Billy Vunipola. It was a key moment for Clermont too, who reached their first Heineken Cup semi-final, only to lose to Leinster in Bordeaux. Saracens avoided the French side in the nomadic 2012/2013 campaign, but as in the previous season, won five from six, alongside a losing bonus point at Munster to earn another Quarter Final home tie, this time with Ulster. Showing the power which had been lacking a year before, they beat the Irish province at Twickenham only to lose out to Toulon in the semi-final, who would go on to beat Clermont in the Dublin final, despite their opponents dominating proceedings. Saracens will need no reminding of the epic Semi-Final against Clermont last season, where they finally announced their arrival as a real European force with a truly lethal display of power and finishing, with a performance that would have graced the final.

That brings the story up to this season. As luck would have it, Clermont were the opening visitors to Allianz Park in the revamped competition, and though they caused the hosts problems, they were still beaten 30-23, as Saracens proved lethal out wide, and Billy Vunipola produced a fine performance, as two tries apiece from Strettle and Chris Ashton earnt a bonus point success. The French powerhouse won their five other pool matches, serving up a 35-3 bonus point win over Sale Sharks in France, through tries from Nick Abendanon, two from Napolioni Nalaga and one from  Aurelien Rougerie. Clermont became the first French side to win at Thomond Park, earning a 16-9 win in a contest they controlled practically throughout with a potent mix of power and precision but could have inexplicly surrendered at the end had Munster not made a mess of a five metre lineout in the dying stages. Back at home, they failed to force the bonus point try against the Irish side (sound familiar?) and allowed the visitors to earn one in a 26-19 win featuring a pair of tries from Damien Chouly and one from Noa Nakaitaci. The trip to Sale Sharks was always a potential "banana skin" as Sarries will testify, and a committed performance by the home forwards made a famous win for the North West side a distinct possibility, particularly when they forced a penalty try having successfully withstood a barrage of possession and pressure from the visitors. Number 8 Fritz Lee, outstanding in Limerick in particular, scored the try which earnt Clermont a hard-fought 22-13 win.

First though, a still daunting tie. The only away wins against French side since 2010 have both been at Racing Metro, once at their home venue in Paris, and on the second occasion at Nantes. A third success against the Parisians was a home game which Saracens moved to Brussels whilst Allianz Park was being developed in the 2012/2013 campaign. In contrast, there were conservative showings in defeats at Biarritz and last season's trip to Toulouse. Much has been said of Clermont's daunting home record, but they will know themselves in the win in Limerick that upsets can happen if you prepare and address the challenge, something which Saracens will surely do. That said, Clermont are in form, heading the top 14 table with 11 wins from 16 matches played, and boasting the best defensive record in that competition. However, their five defeats include a rare home loss to a Montpellier side who have made little impression in Europe this time around, but, in contrast, collected a 51-9 win at home to a Stade Francais side currently their closest challengers at the top. 

The starting line up at Sale featured former Bath stalwart Abendanon at full back, who can be a real danger on the counterattack. French international Noa Nakaitaci was on the right wing, with club stalwart Rougerie, who has been at Clermont (and Montferrand) since 2000, on the left. A powerful centre partnership included Kiwi Benson Stanley with long-serving French international Wesley Fofana. Camile Lopez at fly half combined with French scrum half Morgan Parra, in his sixth season at the club. In the forwards, Raphael Chaume was at loosehead prop, with Georgian Davit Zirakashvili, here since 2005, at tighthead alongside French hooker Benjamin Kayser. Into the second row, where Canadian Jamie Cudmore, in his tenth season at the club, features alongside Sébastien Vahaamahina. The back row consisted of captain Chouly alongside fellow Frenchman Julien Bonnaire in the flanker roles, and the Samoan Lee at number 8. For Saracens, it would seem unlikely that many, if any, changes will be made from the successful line-up against Munster.

One thing which stands out in the Clermont 15, is the number of players who have been at the club for a long time, and consequently have been involved in the "near misses", most notably the Dublin final. Their inability to claim a Heineken Cup which seemed there for the taking, not to mention their last two results against Saracens, makes the home side's mental state as important as their undoubted skill and ability. Throw into the mix a bumper crop of players on show who have been included in the provisional Six Nations squads, and it boils down to one thing, you've got the ability, but have you got the belief? Saracens certainly will.