ASM Clermont Auvergne enters 2026-27 knowing how small the distance can be between progress and another frustrating Top 14 season.
Clermont finished seventh at 15-11 last season, missing the playoffs despite scoring 812 points and 103 tries. A strong finish, including a 34-31 victory at Bordeaux, showed what Christophe Urios' team can produce. The challenge now is sustaining it.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Rugby All Season Long
- What's Streaming On FloRugby? Take A Look At The Schedule
- The Best Rugby Players In The World 2026
- Top 50 Rugby Union Prospects 2026: No. 10-1 | FloRugby Rankings
These five storylines could determine whether Clermont finally moves back into the Top 14's top six.
Can Clermont Finally Return To The Top 14 Playoffs?
Three consecutive finishes of ninth, eighth and seventh have created a clear trajectory, but Clermont now needs the next step.
Winning five of its final six matches in 2025-26 provided encouragement without producing a playoff berth. With additional squad depth and an attack already capable of troubling opponents, another finish immediately outside the top six would represent stagnation rather than progress.
Can Clermont Fix The Defense Holding Back Its Attack?
This is the defining issue.
Clermont scored 103 tries and 812 points last season but conceded 708 points and 87 tries. That imbalance made too many matches difficult to control.
Harry Plummer, who scored 295 points, leads an attack featuring Baptiste Jauneau, Bautista Delguy and Alivereti Raka. Clermont has enough attacking weapons. Its ceiling depends on whether Urios can make the other side of the ball considerably more reliable.
Will Clermont's New Signings Change The Team's Ceiling?
Clermont's recruitment addresses both physicality and attacking depth.
Australian lock Darcy Swain and Tevita Ratuva strengthen the second row, while AJ Lam and Etene Nanai-Seturo add options to the backline. Baptiste Germain, Justin Bouraux and Peniami Narisia provide further depth.
Swain and Ratuva may be particularly significant. If a stronger forward platform helps Clermont become more difficult to break down without diminishing its attack, the newcomers could alter the team's profile.
Is Clermont Building Its Next Core Around Younger Players?
Clermont's future isn't solely dependent upon recruitment.
Jauneau already has an important role at scrum-half, while Mathys Belaubre, Kevin Noah and Joris Jurand offer further developmental possibilities. Tom Raffy, a young fly-half joining on loan from Brive, adds another prospect.
The question is whether enough of those players can progress from promising depth into significant Top 14 contributors.
Can Stade Marcel-Michelin Become A True Advantage Again?
Clermont produced reminders of its home potential last season, beating Perpignan 45-14 and Lyon 41-23.
But the 41-13 home loss to Racing 92 late in the campaign demonstrated why home performances remain part of the larger consistency problem.
For a team trying to turn seventh into sixth or better, Marcel-Michelin needs to become a dependable source of victories.
Clermont enters 2026-27 with more depth, considerable attacking ability and evidence of forward movement. The next stage is harder: defending better, converting home advantage and transforming promise into a playoff place. This season should reveal whether Clermont's climb up the Top 14 table is continuing or has reached its limit.
How To Watch FloRugby
FloRugby is available through a FloSports subscription. Subscribers can watch live rugby matches, full-match replays, highlights, original programming and exclusive coverage across multiple competitions. Stream on your computer at FloRugby.com or through the FloSports app on supported mobile devices and connected TVs.
Can You Watch Replays On FloRugby?
Yes. FloRugby subscribers can watch full-match replays after live events conclude, along with match highlights, interviews and other on-demand content. Replays allow fans to catch up on matches they missed or revisit key moments throughout the season.
Can You Watch FloRugby On TV?
Yes. FloRugby is available on many popular streaming platforms through the FloSports app, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. You also can cast from a compatible mobile device to supported televisions using Chromecast or AirPlay.
Can You Watch FloRugby On Mobile?
Yes. The FloSports app is available for iOS and Android devices, allowing subscribers to stream live matches, watch replays and follow rugby coverage from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
What Rugby Competitions Are On FloRugby?
FloRugby streams a wide range of rugby competitions throughout the year, including major domestic leagues, international matches, European club competitions and select age-grade and collegiate events. Available competitions vary by region and broadcast rights, so check the FloRugby schedule for the latest listings.
Where Can I Find Rugby News, Schedules And Results?
FloRugby provides year-round rugby coverage, including breaking news, match previews, lineups, rankings, transfer news, schedules, results and standings.