Clermont Auvernge out of Champions Cup after Bordeaux loss
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 25/01/16 4:07pm
Clermont Auvergne crashed out of the Champions Cup after getting their sums wrong in a dramatic 37-28 defeat to Bordeaux-Begles at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.
The home side would have progressed through to the quarter-finals with a losing bonus point but they failed to realise the significance of a last-minute penalty awarded to them in front of the posts and, instead of going for goal, Morgan Parra ran the ball in a vain attempt to score a fifth try.
Clermont had led 28-20 after 62 minutes but conceded 17 points while down to 14 men with Julien Bardy in the sin-bin.
It ended Clermont's 25-game winning run at home in Europe going back to 2008 as they finished bottom of the group in which Exeter booked a place in the knockout stages thanks to a bonus-point win over Ospreys.
Clermont, who began the day two points behind Ospreys, made a dream start by racing into a 14-0 lead after six minutes thanks to tries from Jonathan Davies and Noa Nakaitaci, both converted by Parra.
However, forwards Berend Botha and Sebastien Taofifenua powered over for tries, goaled by Lionel Beauxis, as Bordeaux drew level and two penalties from Baptiste Serin either side of half-time put them 20-14 in front.
When Damien Chouly and Paul Jedrasiak went over for quickfire tries, Clermont looked to have booked their last-eight berth, but Bordeaux made full use of the extra man, with Paulin Riva and Peter Saili scoring tries that broke the hearts of the home fans.