Leinster host Clermont at the Aviva Stadium in their second Champions Cup pool game at 5:30pm, and I’ll supply you with live updates if you can’t make it to Lansdowne Road or to a telly!
It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and let’s see if Leo Cullen’s side can make it two wins from two or whether last season’s Challenge Cup finalists from France can pull off something sensational in Dublin.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Clermont, coached by former Bordeaux boss Christophe Urios, are enjoying a fine year. They’re up to third in the Top 14 after a tricky start to the campaign and come into this evening’s encounter off the back of four impressive wins — a run which began with victory over Bordeaux in the Top 14 and continued last week when they goose-egged Benetton in their Champions Cup opener.
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Urios, who you’ll remember from his time at Bordeaux, used to use Munster as his template for building identity within a club, particularly during his time at Oyonnax between 2007 and 2015.
He loves European competition and Clermont aren’t messing around with their team selection today.
Leinster, as you’ll probably know, have gained virtually every point available to them across both the URC and the Champions Cup so far this season.
And, as you’ll probably know, they also take European competition pretty seriously…
6 hrs ago
5:18PM
Teams
New recruit Jordie Barrett starts his first game at fullback for two years — he’s one of five changes to the Leinster XV that began last week’s big victory over Bristol Bears.
Caelan Doris returns as captain, with winger Liam Turner, loosehead Andrew Porter and tighthead Tom Clarkson also coming into the starting XV.
Other than that, the French side line out roughly as you’d expect for a big Top 14 game.
6 hrs ago
5:27PM
Five minutes to kick-off at the Aviva.
I’m gonna make a cuppa here and we’ll be set.
If you toggle the slider up towards the top of the liveblog to turn on notifications, I’ll also keep you posted on every try and a full-time score if you’re out and about at the moment.
Catch ye in a few.
6 hrs ago
5:32PM
1′ – LEIN 0-0 CLE: Irae Simone gets us underway at the Aviva Stadium!
6 hrs ago
5:35PM
4′ – LEIN 0-0 CLE: There’s a pretty vocal crowd in from Clermont. They’re on their feet as Alex Newsome makes a little half-break out of his own 22′ but off next phase, a bridge pass finds only grass and is scooped up by Jimmy O’Brien.
Stalemate so far. A couple of passing/handling errors from either side stopping the first two attacks.
It’s a fortuitous bounce off the boot of Max Deegan and a Clermont player — I didn’t catch who it was, sorry — fly-hacked it into the Leinster 22′.
Clermont’s outside centre Pierre Fouyssac gathers it on the hop and takes it to within five.
The French side bang on the door and eventually Alivereti Raka dives over a pile of bodies NFL running back-style, scoring just left of the posts.
Conversion is a gimme. Clermont by seven!
6 hrs ago
5:39PM
8′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster build phases just outside the Clermont 22′ and the visitors knock on in the tackle as Caelan Doris tries to get the ball away.
Leinster scrum on the 22′. First real platform for the eastern province.
6 hrs ago
5:42PM
10′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Clermont soak up a lot of Leinster pressure and eventually win the jackal penalty on their own 5′.
I think it was Fritz Lee.
Good defensive set from the visitors.
Clermont miss touch — an absolutely unbelievable piece of athleticism by Jimmy O’Brien — but their subsequent attack ends with a chip through that’s touched down defensively for a goal-line drop-out for Clermont.
6 hrs ago
5:43PM
12′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Brilliant line kick off a penalty by Sam Prendergast, takes Leinster to the French five.
But their lineout malfunctions. Clermont escape again for the moment.
6 hrs ago
5:47PM
16′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster have now lost three lineouts as a Rónan Kelleher’s throw just outside the Clermont 22′ is deemed crooked.
Not quite clicking yet for the hosts, but they’re enjoying a lot of the ball and territory. Early days.
6 hrs ago
5:50PM
18′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: George Moala down here with a head injury. Caught an elbow from Jordie Barrett who was carrying the ball. Barrett’s elbow a bit sore, too. Play stopped as Moala receives attention. He’ll leave for a HIA, at the very least.
No foul play here at all — just an unfortunate coming together.
6 hrs ago
5:52PM
18′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Ben Urdapilleta replaces Moala — I would imagine this will be for the rest of the game, to be honest. Urdapilleta moves to 10 with Simone shifting out to midfield alongside Fouyssac.
5 hrs ago
5:53PM
20′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster win a penalty for hands on the ground deep in Clermont territory.
Sam Prendergast goes quickly and crosses the line — but Luke Pearce calls him back as he didn’t take it from the mark. Fair enough shout.
So, Prendergast will go to the line instead.
5 hrs ago
5:54PM
21′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster banging on the door with another two penalty advantages now.
26′ – TRYYYYYYYYY! IT’S TWO IN TWO FOR JORDIE BARRETT!
Leinster go quickly from a penalty on the Clermont 5′. Max Deegan flicks it back to Prendergast who provides his second assist as Jordie Barrett crashes over on the left.
Prendergast’s conversion kisses the post and drops wide, but Leinster lead!
A 10/12-point swing after Clermont’s earlier chance.
5 hrs ago
6:09PM
34′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clermont scrum dead on the Leinster 22′.
It’s been nip and tuck the last few minutes, both sides cancelling each other out. Decent opportunity here for the French side — but they knock on almost immediately and Van der Flier hacks clear.
5 hrs ago
6:13PM
38′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Excellent jackal turnover, and penalty win, by Clermont just inside their own half. Some lip by Andrew Porter moves it forward 10.
They kick to touch, up as far as the Leinster 22′. Attack ultimately breaks down with a poor chip over the top.
5 hrs ago
6:16PM
40′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Last play of an ultimately stop-start half: Leinster win a scrum penalty on their own 22′. Class by Porter on his old mate Michael Alaalatoa. Prendergast moves Leinster up towards the Clermont 10′ with the line kick — but Clermont steal it off the lineout again. That’ll be that for the first 40.
It’s been a bit of an arm wrestle, with the biggest burst of excitement ultimately resulting in two Leinster tries in quick succession.
Those scores by Garry Ringrose and Jordie Barrett, the former converted by Sam Prendergast, leave the hosts in the ascendancy at the turnaround.
Enough there for Clermont to still feel confident, but still scope for Leinster to pull away a la Bordeaux against Ulster earlier, I would say.
Catch you in 15!
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
5 hrs ago
6:32PM
41′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Back underway at the Aviva!
5 hrs ago
6:34PM
42′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Leinster lose another lineout — I think that might have been their fifth — but Thomas Clarkson wins a penalty with the poach.
Sam Prendergast blasts Leinster into the 5′ from near halfway — and they butcher another lineout! Dearie me.
5 hrs ago
6:36PM
45′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clarkson is penalised at scrum time and Clermont find touch about halfway into Leinster’s 50.
5 hrs ago
6:37PM
46′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clermont knock on off third phase. Leinster’s defence has been excellent on the main. The Frenchmen haven’t really had a whiff in terms of scoring opportunities since they got on the board early.
5 hrs ago
6:40PM
Yellow card: Peceli Yato (Clermont)
48′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clever chip through by Prendergast and Peceli Yato takes him borderline late, but almost certainly without a wrap, in front of Pearce. Referee whips out yellow instantaneously.
Easy three-point chance here for Prendergast. Leinster about to stretch their lead to two scores.
5 hrs ago
6:41PM
Leinster 15-7 Clermont
49′ - Easy work for Prendergast from the 22′, dead central in front of the posts.
Leinster have rung the changes with the likes of RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Gus McCarthy onto the field.
5 hrs ago
6:44PM
53′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Clermont win a penalty for a Leinster offside. It’s kickable but they’re going to the corner.
5 hrs ago
6:45PM
54′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Pearce spots a knock-on in Clermont’s transfer at the back of the lineout. Chance gone immediately.
5 hrs ago
6:50PM
58′ – LEIN 15-8 CLE: A couple of missed touches in a row by Sam Prendergast, similar to Jack Crowley’s last night.
He also knocks on a clearance kick after one of them, so a double error, and Clermont have a scrum on halfway.
4 hrs ago
6:56PM
64′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Superb break by Clermont as they pounce on a loose ball inside their own 22′.
An offload inside is deflected backwards by Porter, however. Insane workrate by the Leinster loosehead. Brilliant defence to prevent a certain try.
Clermont still win a scrum as Leinster knock it on subsequently.
4 hrs ago
6:57PM
64′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Rabah Slimani wins the scrum penalty for the hosts! Big moment.
4 hrs ago
7:02PM
69′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: It’s been a pretty poor second half, all told. It’s windy at the Aviva but it’s just a scrappy, patchy game. Loads of intensity, just not a huge degree of quality!
4 hrs ago
7:05PM
71′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Another two lost lineouts in a row by Leinster.
They’re pulverising the Clermont scrum but their lineout has been, I would say, historically bad on the day, so they’re not getting the chance to capitalise on that scrum dominance!
4 hrs ago
7:11PM
77′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: The game has become unbelievably sloppy but Leinster are home and hosed.
Sam Prendergast has just been named man of the match. He looks surprised, but he was excellent other than those couple of errors I mentioned a few minutes back.
4 hrs ago
7:14PM
79′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Leinster spurn another opportunity close to the Clermont line as replacement Ross Byrne tries to feed Jack Conan. The slippery ball slips out of Conan’s grasp, however.
But Leinster had the penalty advantage. Ninty seconds to go, and they’ll tap it from the 5′.
Pearce calls them back, however, as Gus McCarthy failed to play the ball during the ‘tap’. Clermont scrum. Sums up a frustrating evening, but one that will soon result in a comfortable enough Leinster victory!
Well, it’s over. Sam Prendergast’s penalty early in the second half transpired to be the only score after the break.
The weather played a role in the underwhelming spectacle but Leinster ultimately pick up four match points, and Clermont leave with zilch despite a hearty effort.
Ciarán Kennedy will have a full match report and reaction from the Aviva! That’s it from me. ‘Til next time, take it easy!
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As it happened: Leinster v Clermont, Champions Cup
How’s it going, everybody?
Leinster host Clermont at the Aviva Stadium in their second Champions Cup pool game at 5:30pm, and I’ll supply you with live updates if you can’t make it to Lansdowne Road or to a telly!
It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and let’s see if Leo Cullen’s side can make it two wins from two or whether last season’s Challenge Cup finalists from France can pull off something sensational in Dublin.
Clermont, coached by former Bordeaux boss Christophe Urios, are enjoying a fine year. They’re up to third in the Top 14 after a tricky start to the campaign and come into this evening’s encounter off the back of four impressive wins — a run which began with victory over Bordeaux in the Top 14 and continued last week when they goose-egged Benetton in their Champions Cup opener.
Urios, who you’ll remember from his time at Bordeaux, used to use Munster as his template for building identity within a club, particularly during his time at Oyonnax between 2007 and 2015.
He loves European competition and Clermont aren’t messing around with their team selection today.
Leinster, as you’ll probably know, have gained virtually every point available to them across both the URC and the Champions Cup so far this season.
And, as you’ll probably know, they also take European competition pretty seriously…
New recruit Jordie Barrett starts his first game at fullback for two years — he’s one of five changes to the Leinster XV that began last week’s big victory over Bristol Bears.
Caelan Doris returns as captain, with winger Liam Turner, loosehead Andrew Porter and tighthead Tom Clarkson also coming into the starting XV.
Clermont, meanwhile, have selected the 29-year-old Irae Simone at out-half. It’ll be his first start at 10 — ever, in his whole career!
Simone started 20 games at centre for Clermont last season but has mainly featured off the bench during an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign so far.
Other than that, the French side line out roughly as you’d expect for a big Top 14 game.
Five minutes to kick-off at the Aviva.
I’m gonna make a cuppa here and we’ll be set.
If you toggle the slider up towards the top of the liveblog to turn on notifications, I’ll also keep you posted on every try and a full-time score if you’re out and about at the moment.
Catch ye in a few.
1′ – LEIN 0-0 CLE: Irae Simone gets us underway at the Aviva Stadium!
4′ – LEIN 0-0 CLE: There’s a pretty vocal crowd in from Clermont. They’re on their feet as Alex Newsome makes a little half-break out of his own 22′ but off next phase, a bridge pass finds only grass and is scooped up by Jimmy O’Brien.
Stalemate so far. A couple of passing/handling errors from either side stopping the first two attacks.
5′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Well, well, well! Clermont break through early.
It’s a fortuitous bounce off the boot of Max Deegan and a Clermont player — I didn’t catch who it was, sorry — fly-hacked it into the Leinster 22′.
Clermont’s outside centre Pierre Fouyssac gathers it on the hop and takes it to within five.
The French side bang on the door and eventually Alivereti Raka dives over a pile of bodies NFL running back-style, scoring just left of the posts.
Conversion is a gimme. Clermont by seven!
8′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster build phases just outside the Clermont 22′ and the visitors knock on in the tackle as Caelan Doris tries to get the ball away.
Leinster scrum on the 22′. First real platform for the eastern province.
10′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Clermont soak up a lot of Leinster pressure and eventually win the jackal penalty on their own 5′.
I think it was Fritz Lee.
Good defensive set from the visitors.
Clermont miss touch — an absolutely unbelievable piece of athleticism by Jimmy O’Brien — but their subsequent attack ends with a chip through that’s touched down defensively for a goal-line drop-out for Clermont.
12′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Brilliant line kick off a penalty by Sam Prendergast, takes Leinster to the French five.
But their lineout malfunctions. Clermont escape again for the moment.
16′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster have now lost three lineouts as a Rónan Kelleher’s throw just outside the Clermont 22′ is deemed crooked.
Not quite clicking yet for the hosts, but they’re enjoying a lot of the ball and territory. Early days.
18′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: George Moala down here with a head injury. Caught an elbow from Jordie Barrett who was carrying the ball. Barrett’s elbow a bit sore, too. Play stopped as Moala receives attention. He’ll leave for a HIA, at the very least.
No foul play here at all — just an unfortunate coming together.
18′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Ben Urdapilleta replaces Moala — I would imagine this will be for the rest of the game, to be honest. Urdapilleta moves to 10 with Simone shifting out to midfield alongside Fouyssac.
20′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster win a penalty for hands on the ground deep in Clermont territory.
Sam Prendergast goes quickly and crosses the line — but Luke Pearce calls him back as he didn’t take it from the mark. Fair enough shout.
So, Prendergast will go to the line instead.
21′ – LEIN 0-7 CLE: Leinster banging on the door with another two penalty advantages now.
And here it comes. RINGROSE!
22′ – TRYYYYYYYY! Prendergast on the wrap-around feeds Ringrose who waltzes over!
Lovely score as Leinster settle into proceedings, at last.
Prendergast converts from close range and the sides are level!
24′ – LEIN 7-7 CLE: Oh, so close for Clermont! A brilliant team move is knocked on with the final offload, the line at their mercy!
And now away come Leinster down the other end! Sensational rugby in transition! This one has sparked to life in a major way!
26′ – TRYYYYYYYYY! IT’S TWO IN TWO FOR JORDIE BARRETT!
Leinster go quickly from a penalty on the Clermont 5′. Max Deegan flicks it back to Prendergast who provides his second assist as Jordie Barrett crashes over on the left.
Prendergast’s conversion kisses the post and drops wide, but Leinster lead!
A 10/12-point swing after Clermont’s earlier chance.
34′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clermont scrum dead on the Leinster 22′.
It’s been nip and tuck the last few minutes, both sides cancelling each other out. Decent opportunity here for the French side — but they knock on almost immediately and Van der Flier hacks clear.
38′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Excellent jackal turnover, and penalty win, by Clermont just inside their own half. Some lip by Andrew Porter moves it forward 10.
They kick to touch, up as far as the Leinster 22′. Attack ultimately breaks down with a poor chip over the top.
40′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Last play of an ultimately stop-start half: Leinster win a scrum penalty on their own 22′. Class by Porter on his old mate Michael Alaalatoa. Prendergast moves Leinster up towards the Clermont 10′ with the line kick — but Clermont steal it off the lineout again. That’ll be that for the first 40.
It’s been a bit of an arm wrestle, with the biggest burst of excitement ultimately resulting in two Leinster tries in quick succession.
Those scores by Garry Ringrose and Jordie Barrett, the former converted by Sam Prendergast, leave the hosts in the ascendancy at the turnaround.
Enough there for Clermont to still feel confident, but still scope for Leinster to pull away a la Bordeaux against Ulster earlier, I would say.
Catch you in 15!
41′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Back underway at the Aviva!
42′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Leinster lose another lineout — I think that might have been their fifth — but Thomas Clarkson wins a penalty with the poach.
Sam Prendergast blasts Leinster into the 5′ from near halfway — and they butcher another lineout! Dearie me.
45′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clarkson is penalised at scrum time and Clermont find touch about halfway into Leinster’s 50.
46′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clermont knock on off third phase. Leinster’s defence has been excellent on the main. The Frenchmen haven’t really had a whiff in terms of scoring opportunities since they got on the board early.
48′ – LEIN 12-7 CLE: Clever chip through by Prendergast and Peceli Yato takes him borderline late, but almost certainly without a wrap, in front of Pearce. Referee whips out yellow instantaneously.
Easy three-point chance here for Prendergast. Leinster about to stretch their lead to two scores.
49′ - Easy work for Prendergast from the 22′, dead central in front of the posts.
Leinster have rung the changes with the likes of RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Gus McCarthy onto the field.
53′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Clermont win a penalty for a Leinster offside. It’s kickable but they’re going to the corner.
54′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Pearce spots a knock-on in Clermont’s transfer at the back of the lineout. Chance gone immediately.
58′ – LEIN 15-8 CLE: A couple of missed touches in a row by Sam Prendergast, similar to Jack Crowley’s last night.
He also knocks on a clearance kick after one of them, so a double error, and Clermont have a scrum on halfway.
64′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Superb break by Clermont as they pounce on a loose ball inside their own 22′.
An offload inside is deflected backwards by Porter, however. Insane workrate by the Leinster loosehead. Brilliant defence to prevent a certain try.
Clermont still win a scrum as Leinster knock it on subsequently.
64′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Rabah Slimani wins the scrum penalty for the hosts! Big moment.
69′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: It’s been a pretty poor second half, all told. It’s windy at the Aviva but it’s just a scrappy, patchy game. Loads of intensity, just not a huge degree of quality!
71′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Another two lost lineouts in a row by Leinster.
They’re pulverising the Clermont scrum but their lineout has been, I would say, historically bad on the day, so they’re not getting the chance to capitalise on that scrum dominance!
77′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: The game has become unbelievably sloppy but Leinster are home and hosed.
Sam Prendergast has just been named man of the match. He looks surprised, but he was excellent other than those couple of errors I mentioned a few minutes back.
79′ – LEIN 15-7 CLE: Leinster spurn another opportunity close to the Clermont line as replacement Ross Byrne tries to feed Jack Conan. The slippery ball slips out of Conan’s grasp, however.
But Leinster had the penalty advantage. Ninty seconds to go, and they’ll tap it from the 5′.
Pearce calls them back, however, as Gus McCarthy failed to play the ball during the ‘tap’. Clermont scrum. Sums up a frustrating evening, but one that will soon result in a comfortable enough Leinster victory!
Well, it’s over. Sam Prendergast’s penalty early in the second half transpired to be the only score after the break.
The weather played a role in the underwhelming spectacle but Leinster ultimately pick up four match points, and Clermont leave with zilch despite a hearty effort.
Ciarán Kennedy will have a full match report and reaction from the Aviva! That’s it from me. ‘Til next time, take it easy!
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