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          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018
          Clermont AuvergneClermont AuvergneASM
          24
          18/12FT
          21
          SaracensSaracensSAR
          • Morgan Parra(18', 22', 33', 48', 54', 73')
          • Scott Spedding(78', 41'+1)
          • Ben Spencer(10')
          • Alex Lozowski(63')
          • Owen Farrell(10')
          • Owen Farrell(4', 7', 60')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Clermont sneak past Saracens to seize control of Pool 2

          Scott Spedding's late, long-range penalty ultimately proved decisive in Clermont. THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images
          • PA Sport
          Multiple Authors
          Dec 18, 2017, 04:48 AM
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          A late penalty from fullback Scott Spedding made it back-to-back victories for Clermont over Saracens in the Champions Cup.

          Ben Spencer's early try helped the European champions into a 13-0 lead but the three-time runners-up chipped away at it thanks to the boot of Morgan Parra.

          The scrum-half surpassed 500 European points as he landed five kicks to add to Spedding's long-range penalty to make it 18-13, before Alex Lozowski went over for Sarries' second try to get them back in front.

          Editor's Picks

          • Ospreys leapfrog Saracens with victory
            PA Sport

          But, after Parra locked the scores, Spedding kicked Clermont to a 24-21 victory that inflicted a seventh straight defeat on Saracens, who need two wins from their final two matches to give themselves a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.

          Clermont tighthead prop Rabah Slimani failed to roll away at a ruck to give Owen Farrell the opportunity to put his side ahead, and he sent the penalty between the uprights for a 3-0 lead after four minutes.

          He kicked another penalty to double the advantage, before Saracens' perfect start got even better.

          Scrum-half Spencer picked the ball up and sold Slimani completely with a dummy from the base to slice through the defence.

          He stepped off his left foot and managed to ride the tackle of David Strettle to score, and Farrell converted to take his side 13 points clear after 10 minutes.

          Parra narrowed the gap to seven points with a pair of penalties of his own, before last week's Saracens tormentor Alivereti Raka limped off injured after a breathless period of play.

          But Clermont received a boost when Will Skelton was yellow carded for a high tackle, allowing Parra to make it 13-9.

          Marcelo Bosch missed the chance to take Sarries a converted try clear, but Spedding made no mistake on the stoke of half-time to ensure Clermont only had a one-point deficit to overturn in the second period.

          And the hosts were ahead seven minutes into the second half when Parra surpassed the 500-point mark in European competition after Farrell strayed offside.

          Parra made it six penalties from seven attempts after a heavy forward drive to move Clermont into a 18-13 lead.

          Farrell maintained his 100 per cent record to cut the deficit to two points before Nick Abendanon was shown yellow for taking a man out in the air at the restart.

          The defending champions made Clermont pay when Sean Maitland's mazy run piled on the pressure deep in the home 22, before the ball was worked wide again for Lozowski to touch down.

          But Juan Figallo failed to roll away at a ruck to earn a yellow card and allow Parra to level the scores.

          And with the match on the line, Clermont earned a scrum penalty, which Spedding smacked over from long range.

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          Standings

          Pool 1
          RTeamGPPDP
          1GLA4+4920
          2STA4+9412
          3SAL4-3811
          4SAR4+1310
          5SHA4-1010
          6ASM4-1080
          Pool 2
          RTeamGPPDP
          1BAT4+9116
          2RC4+1714
          3CAS4-810
          4EDI4-7110
          5MUN4-28
          6GLO4-276
          Pool 3
          RTeamGPPDP
          1LEI4+3518
          2HAR4+9815
          3STO4-814
          4LEI4+36
          5STA4-136
          6BAY4-1150
          Pool 4
          RTeamGPPDP
          1UNI4+7620
          2NOR4+4616
          3BRI4+5014
          4BUL4-687
          5SEC4-506
          6SCA4-543
          Full Table

          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018 News

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            A Champions Cup rugby game between Toulouse and Sale was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof of the Stadium de Toulouse.

          • Parachutist trapped on roof before Toulouse v Sale game

            A Champions Cup rugby game was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof.

          • Toulouse win Champions Cup in thrilling final against Leinster

            Toulouse won a record-extending sixth European Champions Cup when a Matthis Lebel try helped them beat Leinster 31-22 after extra-time on Saturday.

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          • La Rochelle edge Leinster again to win back-to-back European crowns

            La Rochelle became the fifth team to win back-to-back European Champions Cups on Saturday when they clawed back a 17-point deficit to beat Leinster 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium in another breathless final between the sides.

          • Campo's call: Koroibete can get better still, Suaalii approach sends wrong message

            Wallabies great David Campese says Marika Koroibete is yet to hit the ceiling of his rugby talents, but the man who made the gold No. 11 jersey famous is displeased by talk Rugby Australia is lining up a mega-rich offer to teen sensation Joseph Suaali'i.