Top 14 preview - Clermont Auvergne

We take an in-depth look at the runners and the riders of the 2005/06 Top 14 ahead of the new season. Today we tackle Clermont Auvergne...

Last time around:

A season that started in such ignominy finished on a real high when Clermont destroyed Agen 31-8 to steal the final Heineken Cup qualification spot from their opponents. It was a far cry from the first half of the season which was filled rumours of a player strike - especially by the now-departed Olivier Magne - and which saw the club in fifteenth place at half-way through the season despite the big names brought in to bolster the team. Clermont won 12 of the second round of 15 matches though, including convincing wins over Biaritz and Stade Français. In Europe they fell to eventual runners-up Pau in the Challenge Cup, courtesy of a penalty by 'Monsiuer Points' Ludovic Mercier. It was a shame, as on their later form, they would have given Sale a real contest in the final.

This time?

The omens are good indeed for this season. In come several prime players of proven pedigree, as well as a couple of rising stars, and out go the elders and those who may not have made the grade. They may well end up being dubbed the Foreign Legion such is the amount of anglais permeating the changing room, but the side is capable of mounting a serious challenge domestically if the new faces can gel properly. In Europe they face the toughest challenge of all: as if a pool with English league winners Leicester, French league winners Stade Français and Celtic League champions the Ospreys wasn't pool of death enough, now Clermont's considerable talents are added to it. It is probably too big an ask of them to qualify from that one, sadly, but that will only leave them free to reinforce their assault on the league.

Captain: Tony Marsh's credentials need no building up. He may be getting on a bit now, but he is the solid ball-carrying base upon which an enterprising back-line will be founded.

One to watch: Jean-Baptiste Dambielle was simply too good to go down to the Pro D2 with Auch, and represents possibly France's most exciting prospect. Dambielle was the highest scorer in last season's Top 16, and was superb in the European Shield final against Worcester with a precision boot. Loic Jacquet is a very promising lock who will be looking for his breakthrough this season.

In: Jamie Cudmore (Grenoble), Sam Broomhall (Canterbury, New Zealander), Pierre Manuel Garcia (Narbonne), Jean Baptiste Dambielle (Auch), Mario Ledesma (Castres, Argentinian), Breyton Paulse (Western Province, South Africa), David Barrier (Castres), Gonzalo Canale (Treviso, Italy), Seti Kiole (Gloucester, Tongan)
 
Out: Olivier Saisset (coach) (Béziers), Olivier Magne (London Irish), David Attoub (Castres), Kuzbik (Montpellier), Marc Raynaud (Montauban), Gérald Merceron (La Rochelle), Lyonel Vaïtanaki (Montauban, Noumean), David Ashvetia, Romain Carmignani and Sébastien Morel (La Rochelle), Geoffroy Messina (Stade Français), Vincent Deniau (Dax), Hottie Louw (Llanelli, South African), Fabrice Brandon, Cédric Soulette, Fabien Abella and Philippe Martin (Béziers).

Colours: Yellow and blue

Club info:

Parc des sports Marcel Michelin (11,400 seats)
Rue de Catarou
63100 Clermont-Ferrand

Tickets: ¬12-36

Travel connections: Lyon-Saint-Etienne is the nearest airport, and the main roads from Paris southwards and Bordeaux eastwards intersect there.