If the line-up for the European Champions Cup semi-finals looks a little familiar, it’s because it is. But while Clermont’s clash with Saracens in Saint-Etienne offers the ‘hosts’ a shot at redemption, they would do well to steer clear of the emotion of the occasion.
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Most of the fans travelling to a sold-out Stade Geoffrey-Guichard today will do so with revenge on their mind. It is 51 weeks since Clermont were humbled, 46-6, by this evening’s opponents at Twickenham, ending their dream of facing Toulon in an all-French finale to the Heineken Cup.
However, it is not only the competition that has undergone a re-brand since then, and the French club’s players will know that if they stick to their game plan then the showpiece awaits again.
After all, Clermont have already beaten the north Londoners once this season, with the measure of their superiority in January not truly reflected in an 18-6 scoreline.
TEAM NEWS @Saracens bring 20-y-o Maro Itoje into side to face @ASMOfficiel, with centre Brad Barritt back as captain pic.twitter.com/wqk8eW8FzK
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 17, 2015
That game witnessed a try for marauding full-back Nick Abendanon and the former Bath man has gone from strength to strength since, knocking on the door of an England recall.
Abendanon was particularly impressive in his side’s quarterfinal hammering of Northampton, and the course of that game should give Saracens reason to be fearful.
Clermont’s all-action back division gobbled up Saints’ kicking game, returning it with interest as they built a 27-0 half-time lead. All of which suggests that Sarries cannot afford to play as they did against Racing Metro in the last eight, a game in which they were happy to cede possession.
It is instructive, too, that only three Clermont backs remain from their haunting experience at Twickenham last term, with fit-again Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez unable to force their way back in.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall will take hope from the fact his team have reserved their best form for the big games this season.
In Billy Vunipola, Chris Ashton and, from the bench, Owen Farrell, McCall can also call on players with a point to prove – and in the case of Vunipola and Ashton, two who have turned frustration into impressive performances of late.
Marseille is the setting for tomorrow’s semi-final, with Toulon expected to canter past Leinster and into a third successive final.
It remains to be seen whether Bernard Laporte’s decision to leave last season’s European player of the year, Steffon Armitage, on the bench is inspired or idiotic but it is some statement of intent.
Leinster traditionally save their best rugby for this competition but showed little in their last-eight defeat of Bath to suggest they can match Toulon. All of which means a second all-French final in three seasons looms.
