Saracens 14-46 Clermont: Record European defeat for Champions Cup holders Saracens as angry Clermont run riot
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Saracens were left to count the cost of their worst ever defeat in Europe after being destroyed by ‘furious’ Clermont last night.
A day after losing £300,000 when Sunday’s sold-out clash was snowed off, the Champions Cup holders had their tournament record 20-match unbeaten run ripped from them.
The six-try spanking surpassed Saracens’ 43-13 loss to Biarritz in 2006, while Clermont’s 46 points were the most the Londoners had ever conceded in European competition.
‘It was a sobering day for us,” admitted boss Mark McCall, whose side lost a sixth straight match for the first time in 14 years on the back of a 25-minute hat-trick from man of the match Alivereti Raka.
‘We were well beaten by a much better team and, to be honest, I didn’t see that coming. I’m not going to try to make any excuses for it.”
McCall might not have seen it coming but Clermont had suggested they were ready to unleash a display of fire and fury in their reaction to the shambolic way in which the match was rearranged.
They said they had not been involved in the original postponement decision and “had to adapt to the incompetence of local authorities and Saracens.
"For a little more than 10 centimetres of snow the organisation of this meeting was ridiculous and absurd. Staff and players are deeply upset by the lack of interest in the fans.”
Apoplectic club president Eric de Cromières claimed Clermont's travelling supporters, many of whom flew home after the initial postponement believing the rearranged fixture to be being played behind closed doors, had been treated as "toys".
Saracens owner Nigel Wray countered that his club had had no say in calling off Sunday's game, adding: "It’s important to stress that it was the health and safety officer who made the decision. He is independent. We had no choice. Our players could not get out of their drives."
His words were not enough to douse the fire raging in the hearts and minds of Clermont, who vowed to use the anger as an “extra source of motivation” and made good on their pledge at an ice-cold Allianz Park.
Only 2,661 fans braved the chill but they were rewarded with the second fastest hat-trick in Champions Cup history from 23-year-old Raka - who then ran the length of the field to set up a stunning fourth.
The Fijian-born winger, who qualifies to play for France on residency grounds and could appear as soon as February in the Six Nations, was a class apart as he touched down in the 13th, 21st and 25th minutes.
Clermont’s win means that for the first time ever English rugby failed to register a single victory in an entire round of top-tier Euro matches.
Of greater relevance to McCall’s men, six days before they go to Clermont for the return, was the 37 tackles the champs’ missed.
It was a game Saracens want to quickly forget - but Clermont’s display will live in the long in the memory.
SARACENS - Tries : Penalty, Kruis. Con: Farrell.
CLERMONT - Tries: Raka 3, van der Merwe, Fofana, Toeava. Cons: Parra 6. Pens: Parra 2.