London (AFP)

Already qualified for the quarterfinals, Clermont extinguished the Harlequins on Saturday (26-19) but will have to wait until Sunday and the end of the 6th day of the European Cup to know his opponent and the location of his next duel.

Pending the end of the meetings on Sunday, in particular Saracens-Racing 92 which can change the deal, the ASM (1st of group 3, 24 pts) has completed its share of work in the suburbs of London with Harlequins (3rd, 10 pts ) already eliminated before the match.

ASM, which recovered on Saturday at the foot of Morgan Parra (two transformations, four penalties), can hope to finish in the best four teams in order to host their quarter-final at home and avoid a perilous trip.

A victory, yes, but in pain against the "Quins" who, having nothing to lose or gain, played uninhibited and scored one more try than the French (three to two).

From the start, Clermont took the lead. After a large offensive by the "Jaunards", it was a precise kick from Camille Lopez who put Peter Betham, isolated on the left, in position to register the first try, superbly transformed by Parra (3rd).

But two minutes later, the Harlequins responded with, again, a good conquest and skillful passing repetitions, allowing the young English center Luke Northmore to flatten (5th, transformed, 7-17).

The first quarter of an hour of great intensity, completed with a Parra penalty (10-7), gave way to a more physical phase. After several fixings in the English five meters, the Auvergnats put the second try in the left corner by the Fijian Apisai Naqalevu (28th, 17-7).

Decidedly little concentrated after the dismissal, the "Jaunards" again let the "Quins" flatten, this time by Alex Drombrandt on an incredible collective balloon which demolished the yellow wall for several meters (31st, 17-12).

After the break, the ASM mainly relied on the experienced Parra, author of three other penalties (44th, 50th, 56th).

Clermont saw the English further reduce the mark by the N.10 Bett Herron, who, with a good game over the foot and a favorable rebound on Lopez, left in the end (transformed, 26-19).

Until the end, ASM suffered, but the score remained the same. It remains to be hoped, Sunday, that the stars will line up to offer a quarter to the Michelin.

© 2020 AFP