Skip to main content

Clermont vs Leinster: seven-try comeback earns visitors 48-23 win

Leinster were 16-15 down at the break at Stade Marcel-Michelin before Sam Prendergast's early second-half try turned the game, though Jack Conan left with a wrist injury.

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
A comic-style rugby illustration of the story.
AI illustration

Leinster trailed at half-time in France, then pulled away in the second half to win 48-23 with a bonus point against Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel-Michelin. The seven-try win gave them a winning start in Pool 1 of the Investec Champions Cup.

The game turned about two minutes after the restart. Jimmy O'Brien set up Sam Prendergast for a try, and Leinster took control from there.

Conan injury adds to Ireland worries

There was one setback. Conan hurt his wrist and left the stadium with his arm in a sling. That is unwelcome news for Ireland, because fellow back-rower Caelan Doris will miss the whole autumn series after complications following knee surgery.

Andy Farrell names his Ireland squad for next month's Nations Championship fixtures on Wednesday 21 October.

For Leinster, this was the first step towards a fifth European title. The four-time champions have lost five finals since 2018, the latest in May.

Before kick-off the crowd held a moment's silence for Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday 16 October aged 31.

Sources

All pro rugby stories
A player in white leaps with a raised fist while players in blue, black and white hooped shirts watch in a packed stadium.

Pro Rugby

Montpellier beat Bath with 22 unanswered second-half points at the Rec

Donovan Taofifenua scored twice and Alexandre Becognee sealed it late after Bath had led 14-10 at the break in the Pool Four opener at the Rec.

A comic-style rugby illustration of the Connacht home kit at Dexcom Stadium.

Pro Rugby

Connacht vs Saracens: hosts win 45-36 in 13-try Champions Cup opener

Captain Cian Prendergast and fly-half Ciaran Frawley scored two tries each as Stuart Lancaster's side ran in seven against the three-time champions on Saturday 17 October.

Players in red jerseys stand arm in arm, heads bowed, behind a red jersey on the grass at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

Pro Rugby

Lions vs La Rochelle ends 31-14 as grieving side honour Hyron Andrews

The Lions kept pace with the two-time European champions for an hour in France before La Rochelle pulled clear, and now head to Scotland for two URC games.