Accord conclu : L’entraîneur de l’ASM Clermont Auvergne annonce un nouveau joueur talentueux avant…
The Michelin Group is now 100% shareholder in rugby club ASM Clermont Auvergne, a development it hopes will secure the club’s financial stability following several difficult years both on and off the field. Both parties intend Michelin’s sole ownership to be a temporary situation, with other partners – especially those from the local area – welcome to invest capital in ASM Clermont Auvergne at a later date.
Scott Spedding’s last-gasp kick condemned Saracens to their seventh successive defeat and their second inside six days to ASM Clermont Auvergne.
The defending champions looked set to bounce back from Monday’s chastening 46-14 defeat at Allianz Park as they took a 13-0 lead through two Owen Farrell kicks and a try by scrum-half Ben Spencer after he accelerated away from a ruck.
However, Morgan Parra gradually whittled that lead away with three penalties, capitalising on Sarries’ indiscipline at the breakdown. A Scott Spedding kick from distance just before the break reduced the deficit to 13-12.
Will Skelton was sin-binned for persistent infringing before half-time and two more Parra penalties put Clermont ahead after the re-start.
However, Clermont replacement Nick Abendanon was yellow carded after half-time, during which time Alex Lozowski cut inside to touch down for Sarries.
Juan Figallo then went in the bin for the English side and with 14 men they defended stoutly until Parra restored parity at 21-21 with his sixth penalty, then Spedding kept his nerve with a kick from distance to win it with a minute to go.
Clermont therefore wrap up a fourth straight win in Pool 2, while Saracens need to win their last two games to give themselves a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
