Union Bordeaux-Bègles entered the final weekend of the Top 14 regular season riding the momentum of a second consecutive Investec Champions Cup title. They left it with a painful reminder that domestic rugby offers no easy nights, and an early start to the summer.
ASM Clermont fly-half Harry Plummer drilled a drop goal in the 76th minute to lift Clermont to a dramatic 34-31 victory over Bordeaux on Saturday and handing the European champions a costly defeat.
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The match delivered everything expected from two clubs fighting for playoff positioning. Bordeaux and Clermont traded blows throughout an entertaining contest that featured nine tries and multiple lead changes before Plummer produced the decisive moment late in the second half.
Plummer, who entered the weekend leading the Top 14 scoring charts, once again proved the difference. With the match tied entering the closing stages, the former All Black calmly stepped into the pocket and split the uprights with a drop goal that ultimately secured the victory.
The result capped a memorable individual performance from Plummer, who continues to establish himself as one of the most influential playmakers in the league.
Clermont, Bordeaux Both Miss Top 14 Playoffs
For Clermont, the victory was about more than a spectacular finish. After suffering a heavy loss to Racing 92 the previous week, the club responded with one of its biggest wins of the season against a Bordeaux side many considered among the favorites to win the Bouclier de Brennus.
It wasn't enough. La Rochelle's win dropped Clermont to seventh in the standings.
Bordeaux will be disappointed after coming within minutes of securing another important result. The club entered the match fresh off its Champions Cup triumph and showed flashes of the attacking quality that has made it one of Europe's elite teams.
Instead, the final word belonged to Clermont and Plummer.
With one swing of his right boot in the 76th minute, Plummer delivered one of the defining moments of the final round.
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