European Challenge Cup: Clermont Auvergne 49-24 Dragons
- Published
Clermont Auvergne centre Apisai Naqalevu claimed tries in each half against Dragons
European Challenge Cup - Pool 1 |
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Clermont Auvergne (28) 49 |
Tries: Cancoriet 2, Naqalevu 2, Betham, Lee, Cassang Cons: Laidlaw 7 |
Dragons (17) 24 |
Tries: Dee, Wainwright, Williams Cons: Lewis 3 Pen: Lewis |
Dragons suffered another heavy defeat in Europe as Clermont ran in seven tries on their way to an emphatic win.
Flanker Judicael Cancoriet scored two of Clermont's four first-half tries, although Dragons did respond through Elliot Dee and Aaron Wainwright.
Clermont added three more tries after half-time, with Scotland captain Greg Laidlaw converting all seven scores.
Rhodri Williams did claim a Dragons try, but the Welsh team are now on the brink of Challenge Cup elimination.
Clermont are the runaway Pool 1 leaders with four wins from four games so far, although second-placed Northampton Saints had their game in Romania against Timisaora Saracens postponed on Saturday because of snow.
Travelling to face the 2017 Top 14 champions was never going to be easy for Dragons, especially after the firing of head coach Bernard Jackman in the week.
However the Welsh region - with forwards coach Ceri Jones in caretaker charge - showed some signs of improvement on last week's 48-14 defeat at Northampton.
Despite the evident progress though, the quality of the French side shone through.
A pair of tries for both Cancoriet and Apisai Naqalevu, and one apiece for Peter Betham, captain Fritz Lee and Charlie Cassang ensured Clermont moved 10 points ahead of Northampton in Pool 1 having played a game more.
Clermont Auvergne: Isaia Toeava; Peter Betham, Apisai Naqalevu, Wesley Fofana, Remy Grosso; Camille Lopez, Greig Laidlaw; Loni Uhila, Yohan Beheregaray, Michael Simutoga, Paul Jedrasiak, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Arthur Iturria, Judicael Cancoriet, Fritz Lee (capt).
Replacements: John Ulugia, Etienne Falgoux, Sipili Falatea, Sitaleki Timani, Maxence Lemardelet, Charlie Cassang, Patricio Fernandez, Damian Penaud.
Dragons: Zane Kirchner; Adam Warren, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos; Josh Lewis, Tavis Knoyle; Ryan Bevington, Elliot Dee, Aaron Jarvis, Brandon Nansen, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Gerard Ellis, Nicky Thomas, Huw Taylor, James Benjamin, Rhodri Williams, Gavin Henson, Jordan Williams.
Referee: Tom Foley (England)
Assistants: Simon Harding & Phil Watters (England)
TMO: Trevor Fisher (England)