Leinster begin their hunt for a fifth European crown with a seven-try, bonus-point win at Clermont's Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Leinster have opened their European campaign with a statement. They scored seven tries and took a bonus-point victory away at Clermont, one of the continent's toughest venues.
The Irish province are chasing a fifth European title, a prize that has stayed frustratingly out of reach. A result like this, on the road and with maximum ambition, is exactly the start they wanted.
The win was ultimately comprehensive. Stade Marcel-Michelin has a reputation for making visiting sides uncomfortable, but Leinster's attacking quality told over the full match. Clermont could not contain the visitors once the tries began to flow.
The bonus point is a valuable early return in a competition where seeding and home advantage can be decided by small margins. Leinster will take that momentum into the next rounds, while Clermont must regroup quickly after a heavy home defeat.
