Dragons are aiming to make it three successive wins on home soil in all competitions and build on the record-equaling victory over Timisoara Saracens last week.
We take a closer look at the state of play in the European Challenge Cup and focus on the latest games in Pool 1…
Pool 1: Dragons vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
When: Friday, January 18
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 8pm local time
Referee: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Assistant Referee 1: George Selwood (Eng)
Assistant Referee 2: Rob Warburton (Eng)
TMO: Geoff Warren (Eng)
Citing Commisioner: Alberto Recaldini (Ita)
MATCH FACTS
- Clermont have won both of their two previous games against Dragons, in the 2007 semi-final and their Round 4 clash earlier this season.
- Both games between the Dragons and Clermont have seen an aggregate of 70+ points scored with the Top14 side scoring 13 tries and the Welsh region eight.
- Clermont lost on their last Challenge Cup trip to Wales, a 35-30 defeat to Neath, but they had won their previous two such matches in 1996 and 1997.
- Clermont have won 94% of their own lineout ball, the best rate of any team in the competition.
- Clermont’s Peter Betham has made more metres (415) and breaks (14) than any other player and he os also joint top try scorer (6, also with Chris Ashton of Sale Sharks)
TOURNAMENT RECORD:
Dragons: P59 W33 D0 L26
Points For 1684 Points against 1211
Biggest win 56 (v Timisoara Saracens 2018/19)
Heaviest defeat 34 (v Northampton Saints 2018/19)
Clermont: P59 W46 D0 L13
Points For 2170 Points Against 1025
Biggest win 84 (v Aberavon in 1998/99)
Heaviest defeat 19 (v Beziers 2000/01)
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
21.04.07 – Clermont 46-29 Dragons, 15.12.18 – Clermont 49-24 Dragons
Pool 1 – Northampton Saints vs Timisoara Saracens
When: Friday, January 18
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 8pm local time
Referee: Joy Neville (Ire)
Assistant Referee 1: Jonny Erskine (Ire)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Kerr (Ire)
Citing Commissioner: Patrice Frantschi (Sco)
MATCH FACTS:
- The only previous scheduled meeting in Round 4 between Northamtpton and Timisoara was cancelled due to heavy snowfall with Saints awarded a 2-0 bonus point victory.
- Northampton have won 11 of their 13 home pool stage games in the Challenge Cup, only suffering defeats to Connacht in 1997/98 and Clermont earlier this season.
- Timisoara are still searching for their first win in the Challenge Cup, they have lost all 11 of their games so far, those losses coming by an average margin of 42 points.
- Saints and Timisoara have both conceded an average of 14 penalties per game this season, more than any other sides in the Challenge Cup.
TOURNAMENT RECORD
Northampton Saints: P36 W28 D0 L8
Points For 1207 Points Conceded 619
Biggest win 63 (v Bristol Rugby 2017/18)
Heaviest defeat -30 (v Connacht Rugby 1997/98)
Timisoara Saracens P11 W0 L11
Points for 72 Points conceded 538
Biggest win: N/A
Heaviest defeat: 72 (v Harlequins 2016/17)
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
15.12.18 Timisoara Saracens 0-28 Northampton Saints
POOLS UPDATE
Pool 1
Clermont have already done the business by winning the pool and securing a home quarter-final, and are looking set to be No 1 seeds going into the knockout stage. There is the possibility of emulating Ospreys’ record from the 2016/17 season of a maximum 30 match points in the pool stage when they visit the Dragons on Friday evening. A home win with a bonus point against Timisoara Saracens will guarantee Northampton Saints a place in the last eight as a best runner-up.
Pool 2
Worcester Warriors have won the pool and a victory over Stade Francais Paris at Sixways on Saturday would put them right in the mix for a home quarter-final. Ospreys will almost certainly need a bonus point win in Pau to give themselves any chance of qualifying as a best runner-up on 17 points.
Pool 3
This is going right down to the wire with Sale Sharks and Connacht both on 17 points. Advantage Sale with a home tie against Perpignan while Connacht travel to Bordeaux-Bègles. Two wins would in all probability see both clubs through to the quarter-finals and if they happen to finish level on points, Sale will top the pool on the basis of a superior record in the head-to-head matches.
Pool 4
La Rochelle on 20 points travel to Zebre on Saturday knowing a win will guarantee them a home quarter-final. If Bristol Bears manage a bonus point success against Enisei-STM at Ashton Gate, then they are certain to qualify either as a pool winner or a best runner-up depending on the Zebre v La Rochelle result. Zebre still have an outside chance of qualification, but need to beat La Rochelle and for Bristol to lose to Enisei.
Pool 5
Another pool with high stakes for the top two with Harlequins on 16 points and Benetton Rugby on 15. Quins, who take on Agen at Stade Armandie on Friday evening, simply need to finish ahead of Benetton who go to Grenoble aiming to become the first Italian club to qualify for the knockout stage of a major European tournament.
Dragons face another titanic European battle this Friday at Rodney Parade as they host the undefeated ASM Clermont Auvergne. CLICK HERE for advance price tickets and save money on match day prices.
