After the defeat suffered in Toulouse on Sunday after an amazing match (27-15), ASM Clermont can and will have to do even better
56% possession, 68% with regard to territorial occupation; 430 meters covered ball in hand (against 308 for Toulouse); 97% of ruck won against 87% at the Stadium; 8 penalties conceded only (against 13). In accounting, the numbers don’t lie. In rugby, they don’t explain everything. Sunday, in Toulouse, despite a majority of favorable statistics without counting a high degree of investment, the ASM nevertheless made the trip empty.
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At the end of a magnificent match, surely the most beautiful since the start of the season, Clermont nevertheless returned with a third defeat which made him plunge to 13th place, in a play-off position on the evening of this 4th day before the reception of the Racing on Sunday and the trip to the Stade Français in two weeks where the obligation of result will be the same as against La Rochelle. Not necessarily reassuring.
There are many reasons for satisfaction with regard to the content and quality of the copy delivered by Clermontois. But against the champions of France and Europe, this turned out to be insufficient. There are three sectors where Clermont will still have to climb the cursor.
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1. A touch to review
Before the trip to Ernest-Wallon, ASM was the best student in the Top 14 in touchdown with 43 catches on his 45 throws. This had not escaped the Toulouse staff who had visibly targeted this sector. On Sunday, the ASM harvested eight ammunition (12 shots only out of 20).
Jono Gibbes (ASM), after Toulouse: “We are progressing but not enough for the moment”
So many balls returned to the opponent and often in highlights while the Clermont blockers were powerless against the Toulouse who made a 100% (7/7).
“We had worked hard during the week to put a system in place for the opposite, confided François Cros after the match. This a deal. Hats off to Jean (Bouilhou, the coach of the Toulouse touch), added the third line ”.
Clermont will not always have the tentacles of Rory Arnold in front of him but he will have to quickly regain his efficiency at the start of the season. The Clermontois were also countered on the balls carried on the penaltouches. Easy to write after the fact, but taking the three points would have been better.
2. Too many points left behind
Often tossed about, sometimes abused, the Stade Toulousain has managed, with a cold realism, especially at each of its highlights, thanks to its five-star hinge.
Clermont scored two tries but in the first period he had three net situations to go to queen and to create a significant gap. Afterwards, Jono Gibbes also evoked these six balls made in the 22 opponents in highlights.
ASM Clermont lacked realism against a Stade Toulousain sure of its strength
Without forgetting the five points left on the way (a penalty and a transformation) by Camille Lopez still in the first period. In short, in these high-end confrontations, Clermont will also have to raise its level of realism. In this area, Toulouse gave him a hell of a lesson on Sunday.
3. Bolts to tighten again in defense
58 successful tackles out of 81 or a rate of 73%, it is an insufficient percentage against the Toulouse armada (156 out of 189 or 83% of successful tackles for Toulouse).
The Stadium, more often under pressure, finally cracked less than Clermont. This also partly explains the greater effectiveness of Toulouse in its highlights.
Didier Cros