A combative performance isn’t enough for the visitors tonight, who competed well throughout and controlled large parts of the match, but two scores in five minute periods, in either half, was too much to overcome.
Ben Whitehouse is reviewing the downward pressure on what could be a Bautista Delguy try on the far corner – debate being had over downward pressure, after a fine kick through from Jules Plisson.
Edinburgh batter away at the Clermont line, yielding another penalty through Clermont offsides, only for the ball to be shipped out wide to Wes Goosen who still has work to do at the corner flag (31-18).
Mark Bennett – now with kicking as well as first-receiver duties in the absence of in the injured Cammy Scott and Tim Swiel – can’t add the extras from the touchline.
Edinburgh continue to battle out in France and earn successive penalties to get them deep into the Clermont 22.
The lineout has been robbed a few times tonight, so a chance here, on the 5m line, to make amends and threaten the line.
Clermont take the lineout and maul, setting up replacement prop Daniel Bibi Biziwu to peel with support and power over. Anthony Belleau converts (31-13).
Clermont starting top open up their approach to the attack as the confidence goes up as offloads start to stick, replacement scrum-half Baptiste Jauneau adding some tempo.
Edinburgh penalised at the breakdown and the host kick for a 5m lineout…
A moment of real quality from Clermont who show great hands to work the ball out to Alex Newsome who races down the touchline for his second of the night to hit back immediately and convert (24-13).
A lovely long-range strike from young #10 Cammy Scott, who shows great composure to narrow the gap (17-13).
Edinburgh still very much in this. Stand-off Cammy Scott changes the point of attack with the kick-pass out to van der Merwe. The visitors have the freedom of playing with advantage for an earlier high tackle but the attack is extinguished.
Cammy Scott lines up a long-range penalty on the Clermont 10m line…
Tim Swiel heads off the field for an HIA, Wes Goosen take the field
The new front-row impose themselves that time and win a scrum pen, Tim Swiel then misses touch as he went for maximum range to the 5m.
Frustrating mistake but ER have possession once again with the resulting lineout on the half way.
Clermont steal the ball in the air but carry the ball back over the line and dot down.
Confusion reins thereafter as Luke Crosbie is adjudged to hit the jumping player while in the air, who then comes down heavily. Clermont handed a penalty and clear…
More great pressure from the visitors – the contestable box kick bearing fruit this time for Duhan van der Merwe.
Edinburgh kick for a lineout on the Clermont 5m line, moments from defending so valiantly on their own.
Edinburgh forced to defend desperately on their 5m line and come away with a sensational enforced penalty after some exceptionally direct attack from the hosts. Huge defence there.
Edinburgh sent backwards at scrum time and concede a penalty.
Edinburgh rig the changes up front with a whole new front-row – 16. Adam McBurney, 17. Boan Venter and 18. Angus Williams take the field.
Just what the doctor ordered for the visitors as Bill Mata pops the ball up to Javan Sebastian from the ruck to score from short range!
Tim Swiel adds the extras and it’s a one score game (17-10).
Lovely break from Chris Dean into the Clermont 22 after Hamish Watson arks his run around the back of lineout and offloads. Edinburgh up to the Clermont 5m…
Tim Swiel hoists the ball skyward and we’re back underway…
Edinburgh have battled well in the match and, in the main, have played and well-constructed and composed game.
However, they’ll no doubt be frustrated with some of the errors that have stopped their efforts to build more pressure in the opposition 22.
Two tries in a five minute spell from the home side means they have a two-score gap to close in the second 40.
Edinburgh say that’s enough for that half and full-back Tim Swiel successfully takes three points from the tee (17-3).
The breakdown battle continues as both sides trade possession in close quarters but Edinburgh – who were once looking to build on the opposition 22 – now face defending on their own.
Edinburgh then pinged for playing the ball on the deck.
Three is enough for Anthony Belleau and 14 becomes 17 (17-0).
Clever play from the hosts who pick their lines well in attack from the resulting lineout and score on first phase through full-back Alex Newsome.
Anthony Belleau converts for the second time in five minutes (14-0).
Frustration as the good work is undone as Clermont win a penalty at the against the head and send the ball downfield into the danger area.
Quick thinking from Vellacott to leap out, tap the arm and force the knock on from opposite man Sebastien Bezy as the host’s tails were up.
A well-timed spot of relief for the hosts who win the scrum.
Clermont draw first blood as the ball comes back in field. Claims for a knock on are dismissed as they power over from short range and add the extras (7-0).
Clermont building their way into the Edinburgh 22 once again, patient and direct stuff before shipping it wide – big tackle from the Mark Bennett out on the far side to stop a score.
Clermont still in possession right up on the 5m line…
Frustrating there from Edinburgh as a first phase forward pass in the centres lets Clermont off the hook, who then pick up a free-kick at the resulting scrum and take it quick…
Clermont pinged for a neck roll on Marshall Sykes as Edinburgh continue to contest every breakdown ferociously.
Cammy Scott gets his team downfield for a lineout on the host’s 10m line.
First major period of pressure from Clermont who battle their way to the Edinburgh 5m line, repeatedly getting in behind the scrambling Edinburgh defence, but a huge try-line turnover from Ewan Ashman is perfectly timed and Edinburgh get out unscathed.
Edinburgh continue to threaten but a miss-cued move sees Jamie Hodgson overcompensate at the breakdown, coming in at the side and penalised.
Clermont send the ball deep into the Edinburgh half and build their attack…
Edinburgh getting a lot out of change from a pragmatic approach to the start of this game – simple stuff up front and well pursued kicks, most recent of which from Harry Paterson who chases well for the tackle and plays a big part in forcing the error from the home side.
Edinburgh awarded a penalty at the scrum but young Cammy Scott will be disappointed with a missed touch finder to follow.
Clermont clear their lines and Edinburgh build once more from their own 10m line.
Great stuff from prop Javan Sebastian to get up quick for the charge down on the box kick. Clermont scramble and clear but it’s a rushed attempt and Edinburgh return with interest.
Clermont then carry direct but are isolated and held up by the visitors, who have made a physically imposing start to the match and win the game’s first scrum.
Bit early from the chasing Harry Paterson who’s been up to pressure well so far but he miss-timed that one and caught the player before he reached the ground.
Clermont send the ball downfield for a lineout on Edinburgh’s 10m…
Edinburgh content and come through the early kick exchanges with a decent outcome – a lineout on the half, from which to build and hoist a contestable box kick to the Clermont 22.
Both sides continue to exchange possession early on and get a measure of one another around halfway.
Clermont get us underway at the Stade Marcel-Michelin!
Let’s go Edinburgh!!!
Just 10 minutes until kick-off in France!
We’re excited for this one.
Your Edinburgh squad have arrived at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
No changes to our 23 for tonight’s European opener.
Why not watch the latest episode of ALL IN ahead of tonight’s European opener?
We’ve arrived at Stade Marcel-Michelin ahead of tonight’s European clash!
Club partners Glen Moray and Uhuru Rum have kindly donated their on-kit sponsor space to charities My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Tusk for tonight’s match in France – a lovely touch!
A try of beauty from tonight’s skipper – Ben Vellacott!
Hello and welcome to the Galbraith Match Centre for tonight’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener against ASM Clermont Auvergne!
We’ll have all the action from France right here – and you can follow every minute from kick-off at 8pm GMT/9pm local.
Kick-off 8:00 pm