Champions Leinster defend title from Clermont

Clermont's Alexandre Lapandry (C) runs with the ball during their European Cup rugby union match Two-time defending European Cup champions Leinster host Clermont in the fourth round of the competition this weekend in the knowledge that they will have to dig deep for a "vital" bonus-point victory. Clermont ended the Irish province's 17-match unbeaten run in the competition last weekend in a gripping 15-12 win.
The French top 14 outfit's victory -- their 51st successive home win -- put them five points clear of the Irish side in Pool Five ahead of the return fixture in Dublin on Saturday.
Leinster manager Guy Easterby said a win for his side was "vital,” but, he added: "I don't think the result on Saturday is going to determine who's top of the group or who goes through from the group.”
"We just see it as a game we have to go out and win," the former Ireland scrum-half said, presumably with one eye on the two other clubs in the pool, Exeter and currently winless Scarlets.
"It's not all about topping the group. There are opportunities further down the line. There are two more games, it's not like the pool finishes on Saturday evening,” he added.
Source: AFP