Leinster Pull Away to Beat Clermont 48-23

Leinster opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 48-23 win over Clermont Auvergne on October 17, pulling away after a tight first half to secure a seven-try victory at Stade Marcel-Michelin. Clermont led 16-15 at halftime, despite Leinster having scored two tries to the hosts’ one. Tadhg Furlong crossed first for the visitors, and Dan Sheehan added another. Joris Jurand scored Clermont’s try, while Harry Plummer kicked three penalties and a conversion to keep the home side in front at the break. Sam Prendergast’s try shortly after the restart shifted the match. He broke through and kicked ahead for Jimmy O’Brien, who kept the move alive before Prendergast finished under the posts. Leinster then extended their advantage when a scrum penalty under Clermont’s posts resulted in a penalty try and a sin-bin for Nohem Ez Zahouany. Sheehan scored his second try from a lineout maul as Leinster took advantage of the extra player. Clermont replacement Mathys Belaubre replied, but Jack Conan and Tommy O’Brien crossed later in the match to complete the scoring. The published match summary credited Leinster with seven tries in total: Furlong, Sheehan twice, Prendergast, the penalty try,...