Clermont v Leinster - 2012 Heineken Cup semi-final

Match action from Bordeaux as Leinster take on ASM Clermont Auvergne in the semi final of the Heineken Cup.

[@iamdavelee]

bloody amazing! Roll on twicks!

[@zisssssou]

i don't really know if they deserve it, but congrats Leinster The most experimented team won the match. they scored their points when needed, and i also think they can shake the hand of Barnes who gave some help Gutted for Clermont who was a bit sloppy and at few millimeters of the final. Maybe next year? ps: on the french crowd unfairly booing. what a pretty desinformation! the clermont public was extraordinary before, during and after the match.

[@Marveh]

penalty count 12 clermont 13 leinster. Oh and the time keeper forgot to restart the clock for over 2 minutes after sexton's TMO penalty. So the final 2 minutes on leinsters line shouldn't have even happened.

[@jkino78]

he said "don't use your hands" then shouted "don't touch"...all while Parra illegaly clung to the Leinster players leg and the #20 ran in from the side headbutting and then mauling Cullen...maybe, since you mentioned the ref we should point out how Rougerie was off his feet and coming from the side while the Clermont 6 also went off his feet as O'Brien was turning over possession? But of course...the ref is only one eyed while you're booing, tut tut.

[@DKP4]

p.s. I also loved the way Sexton booted the ball into the Clermont fans who had been booing him all day long

[@DiemPerdididei]

That point, was O'Brien allowed to contest the ball? there wasn't a ruck?

[@zisssssou]

like many posters i hadn't noticed it at first look. but at 04:49, u clearly hear Barnes saying "advantage" and few seconds later, giving a penalty to leinster (clermont not releasing the ball, o'brien contesting approximatively his feet) speechless and sums up well his poor afternoon

[@Marveh]

He should have scored that try, but the game should have been over by then anyway. /the timekeeper forgot to restart the clock for over a minute after the TMO about sextons penalty. If fofana had got the try, it would have been quite controversial for the erc :P

[@jkino78]

There was no ruck as Ruogerie had his knees on the ground as he went in to form a ruck, the other player was on O'Briens back so obviously arrived after him...no ruck, penalty for not releasing the ball.

[@DKP4]

You're right about the Clermont public, they created one of the best & most intense atmospheres I've ever experienced at any match. But I don't like to see the kicker getting booed, for me it's not in the spirit of the game. That's why I was glad Sexton kicked the ball into them at the end, to say 'shut up'. Maybe next year for Clermont, maybe against Leinster - hopefully this time in the final.

[@WBMotosports]

NICE !!

[@andrew097]

That was so tight, when you think of that Fofana miss at the death.

[@jkino78]

nowhere in the Gaurdian or times does it say that Barnes helped Leinster. "Penalising the French forwards for flopping off their feet" and ruling a no try is hardly biased reffing...you obviously haven't read the articles you refer to, just the headlines. But I can stand corrected if I'm wrong, please post a link where a journalist (Gaurdian or Irish Times) doesn't rate Leinster as deserving finalists.

[@jkino78]

I don't agree that it's disinformation, the Clermont crowd booed continously. Extraordinary support for their own team but they booed pretty much every decision by the ref. I wouldn't complain about the ref. I think this was two teams playing on the limits of the rules, Clermont as much as Leinster, and he tried to keep it flowing. Cullen was lucky to not get a yellow in the first half but are the Clermont fans proud of a prop forward diving like a soccer player? Hate to see that in Rugby.

[@c02615223]

00:52 Wayne Barnes "Advantaaage" Getting lessons from Joey Barton obviously

[@jkino78]

I guess the truth does hurt..truth is Leinster are in the final, deservedly so and for the 3rd time in 4 yrs. No shock on the Leinster players faces, they've been there before...they will be again. How did they qualify? By grounding the ball when a try opportunity presented itself for one.

[@buffysnug]

@DKP4 great reply 100% true :)

[@theteeth08]

Such a game! Laighean abú

[@zisssssou]

truth always hurt. good luck for the final

[@DKP4]

Highlight of the day - getting a PACKED tram back into town, surrounded by Clermont supporters... in total silence. What a day

[@hytoper]

Good Fairplay By Sexton --'

[@DecayGuy]

Lads, I denno what the argument is for. If leinster are lucky, how have they won the cup 3 times in the last 4 seasons, and clermont have never won it? They are a good side, and when their away form improved they may be a great side, but for now its LEINSTER ABÚ!!!

[@theYeLLowNInJa12]

Heiniken cup winners!

[@hytoper]

More 20 000 French !! What the Fuck ? Best Public in France .. Nice Match

[@DKP4]

Ha, a Welsh supporter (troll) handing out lessons on the ethics of rugby, that's a good one. I live in France, I know all about the 'rugby culture' here, thanks. And I was at the match yesterday, it was between Clermont and Leinster, not an Ireland shirt in sight, so why are you bleating on about 'Irish fans'? Toddle off and watch your grand slam video again, the Heineken Cup has got nothing to do with you.

[@zisssssou]

wrong. and i repeat it it was no more than a passionate ambiance, with booing from the crowd on Barnes one-eyed mistakes. the same fans applauded both teams at the end of the match. thing that u won't see in UK or ireland but i just need to watch the "out of jail" leinster players faces and the "save the appearances" leinster fans comments to judge that clermont deserved better in this semi's if they hadn't been too sloppy like many european fans i won't watch this "irish" final, but good luck

[@HarringayRoad]

We were the best team, because the Dublinaz needed the umpire to help'em win...LOL

[@Drweavil]

That's me hole.

[@DiemPerdididei]

I d'ont understand the last penalty

[@HIBERNIAN678]

Advantage for what? Cant see anything illegal there except for Leo gettin his head pulled off. Stop whining about your loss to a better team. If Fofana had got that try you wouldnt even be on this vid complaining about Barnes performance.

[@jkino78]

Wrong? How arrogant of you. The booing can be heard all game long. "Clermont deserved better..." based on what? They scored less, created less and were only in the Leinster half of the pitch at the end because of Leinsters sloppy play at their lineout, but Leinster are a better team (google "european rugby club rankings") and so even with some sloppy play they won. That's 5 wins from 6 games against Clermont now. ;) Such a sporting rugby fan that you won't even watch the final? hmmm

[@zisssssou]

in france, every kicker is always booed or cheered during their kicks. in ireland, u make silence, that's a question of culture, adaptation. ask to wilkinson in toulon. concerning sexton, it doesn't shock me. frustration or happiness make u do stupid things. more shocking were the faces of many leinster players and fans at the final whistle. a kind of: "how the hell did we qualify?" i won't watch this rabobank final, no interest.as said cheika, this ERC competition needs a reorganization

[@zisssssou]

Advantage for clermont (but of course u don't (want to) listen it but we agree, fofana would have score it, u would have invented the same arguments. unfortunately for u, intentionally or not, truth is that barnes helped to leinster. read the guardian, even the irish times. don't live on ur island that said, good luck for the final, seems u have some

[@MrSydneyKing]

After watching the Queensland Reds v Chiefs game on the weekend, this was like watching paint dry. Possibly because it was adjudicated by the WORST referee in world rugby. It was basically a shoot out between the goalkickers.

[@cymruadam]

Don't be a nob, Irish fans are sanctimonious hypocrites when it comes to booing the kicker. You're all for respecting the goal kicker until it's a kick late in the game to sink Ireland. It's part of the rugby culture over in France anyway, just because YOU don't agree with it doesn't mean the French are going to stop, they weren't booing Sexton personally.

[@HarringayRoad]

Match fixing.