Leicester books Champions Cup last-16

With a win at Clermont of 44-29, the Leicester Tigers became Friday’s Champions Cup team. It was their third consecutive win in the competition.

In an exciting tie, Leicester, the two-time European champions, edged France’s try count by five to four and won an offensive bonus.

For the Tigers, Harry Simmons, Matt Scott, and Dan Kelly each scored first-half tries.

Scott and James Cronin added more scores in the final minute after the break.

“We are proud of our win tonight against Clermont and it was in an absolutely unbelievable atmosphere,” said Ben Youngs, Leicester scrumhalf.

“It was a great performance to score 44 points, but we suffered more in the second half.”

Handre Pollard, an international South African stand-off, kicked 14 points his first start in the tournament for Leicester.

Clermont tries were won by Bautista Delguy and Etienne Fourcade as well as Anthony Belleau, Paul Jedrasiak, and Anthony Belleau.

Indiscipline was the death of the French side, who conceded three times as many penalties to Leicester.

Jono Gibbes, Clermont coach, said that it was difficult to accept losing 44 points at home.

“Their inability to score too many points against us was very disappointing, especially before our home crowd.”

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