ASM Clermont Auvergne 36 La Rochelle 16

La Rochelle were unable to turn their maiden European final into a first trophy as Clermont’s greater experience of the big occasion proved crucial at St. James’ Park in Newcastle.

Tries from wing Damian Penaud, centre Wesley Fofana and man of the match Fritz Lee, along with 18 points from the boot of replacement scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and three from Morgan Parra, sealed Clermont’s third Challenge Cup.

La Rochelle had to be content with a solitary try from prop Uini Atonio, with their other points coming from fly-half Ihaia West, who converted that score and kicked three penalties.

Clermont struck first through captain Parra on 12 minutes, but that was his last act, as five minutes later he went off injured and was replaced by Laidlaw, who immediately announced his arrival with a 22nd minute penalty, only for West to halve the deficit two minutes later.

The potent Clermont pack paved the way for the first try of the match on 29 minutes as Laidlaw switched play to the left flank, where Penaud held off West to score a try that the Scot goaled to open up a 13-3 lead.

West reduced the arrears with penalties either side of the interval, but Laidlaw cancelled those out with two of his own before Clermont notched their second try of the night after 58 minutes.

In a textbook move, No.8 Lee was powered over the line by a rampant driving maul and with Laidlaw adding the extras, Clermont marched 26-9 ahead.

La Rochelle threatened a late fightback on 64 minutes as Atonio displayed some nimble footwork to spin out of a tackle and crash over the try line, but it was little more than a consolation.

The final gloss on the Clermont victory came 10 minutes from time, when Fofana seized on a deft Camille Lopez grubber-kick to dot down for a try converted by Laidlaw, who also kicked a 79th minute penalty.

With La Rochelle set to make their Heineken Champions Cup final debut next week, we reflect on their only previous appearance in a European decider, against ASM Clermont Auvergne in the European Rugby Challenge Cup showpiece of 2019.