Clermont Auvergne have secured a home tie in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals having topped Pool Four with an 18-6 victory over Saracens this evening.
The home side made a positive start to the clash and found themselves ahead inside eight minutes when Camille Lopez kicked a penalty following an offside infringement.
Owen Farrell squandered the chance to level things up just moments later when he kicked wide from range, and the England international was soon replaced by Charlie Hodgson due to what appeared to be an injury problem.
Les Jounards managed to extend their lead further on the half-hour mark when Nick Abendanon crossed over close to the uprights, leaving Lopez to add the extras and cement the advantage.
Saracens did have something to show for their work in the first half, though, as replacement Hodgson added three points from his boot right on the brink of the interval.
Just moments after the restart Sebastien Vahaamahina was shown a yellow card for seemingly lashing out, and Sarries were able to capitalise as they reduced the deficit to just four points thanks to another Hodgson penalty.
However, a late tackle from David Strettle saw the visitors then reduced a man, and that perhaps proved to be the turning point as Vincent Debaty added a second try for Clermont.
Fritz Lee was the next man to be sent to the sin bin after failing to roll away at the ruck, although with just a minute remaining there was no time for Saracens to rescue themselves.
Despite this defeat the Aviva Premiership side will take their place in the last eight of European rugby's showpiece competition as one of the best runners-up, although they will be on the road for their tie.
Daniel Lewis
