Clermont Auvergne outlast Edinburgh in game of runs
Edinburgh’s European Challenge Cup campaign began in losing fashion as they went down to a 31-18 defeat against Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
They fought back strongly from a 17-0 deficit just before half-time, scoring 13 unanswered points through a Javan Sebastian try that Tim Swiel converted, plus penalties from Swiel and Cameron Scott.
But Clermont finished strongly to underline their status among the pre-tournament favourites.
The French heavyweights made a flying start as tries from George Moala and Alex Newsome, both converted by fly-half Anthony Belleau, who also kicked a penalty, left Edinburgh with it all to do.
But their deficit was just four points entering the final quarter before Newsome’s second touchdown and a try for substitute prop Daniel Bibi Biziwu saw Clermont home.
Belleau kicked two more conversions, and Edinburgh claimed a late consolation try from Wes Goosen.
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No chance of Borthwick selecting any young talent. He announced his selection policy from the outset with naming a poor OF as Captain, retaining an equally poor Youngs and Vunipola brothers when there were many better EQP in the Premiership. SB revival of Leicester was based on SA muscle and a terrific Welsh flanker he has generally ignored young English talent.
Go to commentshe’s really starting to look ready for international rugby. Ford-Dingwall-Lawrence would be pretty exciting imo
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