An exceptional match, worthy of a Top 14 or European Cup final, was needed to draw over 18,000 fans from their homes on the first day of January. Within 48 hours, with the return of attendance limits, only 5,000 will be permitted in this same stadium for many weeks to come. This Saturday evening at Marcel Michelin, Clermont and Toulouse kicked off 2022 in a fierce and closely fought contest.
Since the Top 14’s inception in the 2005-2006 season, Toulouse has never triumphed in Auvergne. The Toulouse team carries a burden of 14 defeats against a single draw. This continued this Saturday, as the reigning French and European champions once again fell short.
By strategically resting Antoine Dupont, widely considered the world’s finest player, Toulouse appeared to concede an advantage. However, they initiated the scoring in the 5th minute with Juan Cruz Mallia’s try, converted by Thomas Ramos (0-7). This lead proved temporary. In this tense, unpredictable clash, both sides traded blows. Clermont leveled the score in the 13th minute through Yohan Beheregaray’s try, transformed by Irish kicker Hanrahan (7-7). Ramos’ penalty (28th minute) gave Toulouse a slender lead going into halftime (7-10).
However, the Toulouse team’s second-half performance failed to secure this advantage. They were outscored by Clermont, who drew level through another Hanrahan penalty (42nd minute, 10-10). A drop goal and a penalty from Camille Lopez (68th minute, 13-10; 74th minute, 16-10) followed. Ramos’ penalty (77th minute, 16-13) raised the tension among the Auvergne supporters, yet Clermont held on for a 16-13 victory.
Toulouse’s last victory in Clermont dates back to 2002. “Beating Stade Toulousain again is a fantastic way to begin the year and the second half of the season. This is a significant step, and we must maintain this momentum,” Camille Lopez stated in an interview on Canal +. “There’s definite frustration at losing by just three points,” admitted Romain Ntamack.
