European Champions Cup: Clermont Auvergne 24-7 Ospreys

Ospreys wing Hanno Dirksen tries to fend off Remi Lamerat of Clermont

Ospreys' battling show at Clermont Auvergne was not enough to earn a European Champions Cup knock-out spot as the French side topped Pool 2.

Their defeat left Scarlets, who host Toulon later, as the only Welsh team with quarter-final hopes.

Nick Abendanon's first-half try, plus the kicking of Morgan Parra and Greig Laidlaw put Clermont in command before Luke McAlister crossed late on.

Ospreys points came from Ashley Beck's try and Dan Biggar's conversion.

Ospreys - and Wales - were also left with a worry as Biggar departed before the end with a shoulder injury that saw him writhing in pain.

Ospreys suffered a late blow as lock Bradley Davies withdrew because of illness. Adam Beard came into the starting line-up with Lloyd Ashley promoted to the bench.

The visitors had already chosen to make one personnel and one positional change in the back three with Sam Davies dropping to the bench and Dan Evans moving to full-back with Hanno Dirksen coming in on the wing.

The Welsh team's 15-15 home draw with Saracens meant they went to France with a chance to overtake Clermont at the top of their pool to progress.

A losing bonus point could also have been enough to secure a last-eight spot as one of three best runners-up, but it was not to be thanks to Saracens crushing Northampton 62-14 to finish runners-up in the pool.

Dirksen denies Grosso

Ospreys would have had every reason to feel intimidated at the prospect of facing Clermont on their home turf - where they have won all nine of their home games against Welsh opposition in the European Cup.

But Steve Tandy's side showed no such early signs as they kept the hosts at bay in the opening quarter.

Dirksen forced Remi Grosso into touch as his wing rival was in the act of touching down to deny Clermont's early pressure.

And Ospreys' forwards won a scrum penalty as Clermont attacked on the other flank.

Abendanon breaks deadlock

There were also chances for Ospreys, but crucial passes went to ground and Englishman Abendanon broke the deadlock after 25 minutes as he raced on to Parra's clever kick ahead to score.

Parra converted and added two penalties, while Biggar's first shot at goal drifted wide to leave Ospreys trailing 13-0 at the break.

Justin Tipuric and Ashley Beck created Ospreys' best chance soon after the break, but wing Jeff Hassler was rocked back two metres from the line and spilled the ball, allowing Clermont to clear.

Short-lived Ospreys hope

Ospreys' opening hour was best summed up when Biggar sent Owen Watkin clear, but the Wales squad centre was thwarted on the line before Abendanon stripped him of the ball.

But Clermont's relief was short-lived as Biggar was again involved before hooker Scott Baldwin put Beck over in the corner.

Biggar added the extras only to see Parra punish Ospreys with a long-range penalty.

The visitors continued to press, but they paid the price as Clermont countered for McAlister to race away.

Biggar 'with medics'

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said Biggar was "with the medics" to deal with his injury that forced him off, but "didn't know" about the severity of it.

Tandy added: "We've done well in the group and there's real frustration in the fact we could have made more of the opportunities we did create.

"We've had ins to the game, but I don't think we've thrown enough punches as we would have liked today.

"There's bitter frustration. It's not a disappointment in effort, it's frustration in our inaccuracy around our game and it's a pretty sombre changing room."

Clermont Auvergne: Isaiah Toeava; Nick Abendanon, Peter Betham, Rémi Lamerat, Remi Grosso; Luke McAlister, Morgan Parra; Raphael Chaume, Benjamin Kayser,Davit Zirakashvili, Arthur Iturria, Sébastien Vahaamahina, Peceli Yato, Alexandre Lapandry, Fritz Lee.

Replacements: Yohan Beheregaray, Etienne Falgoux, Rabah Slimani, Paul Jedrasiak, Damien Chouly, Greig Laidlaw, Noa Nakaitaci, Scott Spedding.

Ospreys: Dan Evans; Hanno Dirksen, Ashley Beck, Owen Watkin, Jeff Hassler; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Dmitri Arhip, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Olly Cracknell, Justin Tipuric, Rob McCusker

Replacements: Scott Otten, Gareth Thomas, Ma'afu Fia, Lloyd Ashley, Will Jones, Thomas Habberfield, Sam Davies, Kieron Fonotia.

Referee: JP Doyle (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng), Simon McConnell (Eng)

TMO: Stuart Terheege (Eng)

Citing commissioner: Andy Blyth (Eng)