SAM Prendergast inspired Leinster to a commanding bonus-point victory over Clermont with a spectacular individual try as the Irish province overturned a half-time deficit in France.
The fly-half produced the outstanding moment of the contest shortly after the restart, launching a counter-attack from deep inside his own territory before finishing beneath the posts.
Clermont ………..23pts
Tries: Jurand 33, Belaubre 65
Conversions: Plummer 34, 65
Penalties: Plummer 14, 16,
40 Leinster ………… 48pts
Tries: Furlong 10, Sheehan 28, 61; Prendergast 42, Penalty 57, Conan 66, O’Brien 77
Conversions: Prendergast 11, 43, 62, 66
Penalty: Prendergast 36
Leinster trailed 16-15 at the interval but dominated the second half, with their powerful scrum and increasingly adventurous attacking play proving too much for the French side.
Tadhg Furlong opened the scoring after 10 minutes, collecting Fintan Gunne’s offload to power over from close range.
Clermont fly-half Harry Plummer responded with two penalties before Dan Sheehan pounced on a loose lineout ball to extend Leinster’s advantage.
Joris Jurand crossed in the corner for Clermont, with Plummer converting before adding another penalty to establish a narrow interval lead.
Prendergast transformed the contest two minutes after the restart, breaking from his own 22 and kicking ahead for Jimmy O’Brien to chase.
The winger gathered and returned possession inside for Prendergast to complete a stunning length-of-the-field move.
Leinster extended their advantage when Clermont tighthead Mohamed Zahouany was sin-binned following repeated scrum infringements, with referee Matthew Carley awarding a penalty try. Sheehan then grabbed his second from a driving maul before replacement Mathys Belaubre briefly reduced the deficit for the hosts. However, Jack Conan immediately responded, powering through a tackle after O’Brien reclaimed Prendergast’s restart.
Tommy O’Brien completed the scoring in the closing stages, finishing a flowing move involving Jamie Osborne, Joe Mc-Carthy and Scott Penny.
McCarthy received a late yellow card, but Leinster had already secured an impressive European victory.
TEAMS
CLERMONT AUVERGNE: Bouraux; Delguy, Lam (Belaubre 62), Darricarrere, Jurand; Plummer (c), Jauneau (Germain 68); Akhaladze (Lotrian 62), Massa (Narisia 57), Ez Zahouany (Frisach 68), Lanen (Michaux 22), Swain (Michaux 57), Tixeront (Chalus-Cercy 57), Hemery, Noah (Vermeulen 66) LEINSTER: Keenan; T O’Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw (Osborne 60), J O’Brien; S Prendergast (Carbery 73), Gunne (Coffey 68); Porter (Usanov 70),
Sheehan (c) (Kelleher 61), Furlong (Clarkson 61), J
McCarthy, Ryan (Penny 70), Baird, van der Flier, Conan (O’Tighearnaigh 66)
REFEREE: Matthew Carley (Eng) ATTENDANCE: 17,521
Star player
Sam Prendergast – Leinster
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