2017 European Rugby Champions Cup final

The 2017 European Rugby Champions Cup Final was the final match in the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup, and the twenty-second European club rugby final in general. It was contested by defending champions Saracens of England and French side Clermont at Murrayfield Stadium, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Saturday 13 May 2017.[1][2] Saracens retained the trophy after claiming a 28–17 victory.[3][4]

2017 European Rugby Champions Cup Final
Event2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup
Date13 May 2017
VenueMurrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Man of the MatchBilly Vunipola
RefereeNigel Owens (WRU)
Attendance55,272

Background

Reigning champions Saracens entered the final aiming to defend their title, having won the Champions Cup for the first time when they defeated Racing 92 by 21–9 in the 2016 final. The club was also looking to break the record for most unbeaten European fixtures in a row, after matching the record of 17 held by Leinster. Meanwhile, Clermont were seeking their first top-tier European trophy, following two prior defeats in the 2013 and 2015 finals, both to Toulon. For the second year running, Welsh referee Nigel Owens officiated the Champions Cup final – in doing so, he also became the first official to referee 100 European club rugby matches.

Route to the final

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).

France Clermont Round England Saracens
Opponent Result Pool stage Opponent Result
England Exeter Chiefs 35–8 (A) Matchday 1 France Toulon 31–23 (A)
France Bordeaux Bègles 49–33 (H) Matchday 2 Wales Scarlets 44–26 (H)
Ireland Ulster 32–39 (A) Matchday 3 England Sale Sharks 50–3 (H)
Ireland Ulster 38–19 (H) Matchday 4 England Sale Sharks 24–10 (A)
France Bordeaux Bègles 9–6 (A) Matchday 5 Wales Scarlets 22–22 (A)
England Exeter Chiefs 48–26 (H) Matchday 6 France Toulon 10–3 (H)
Pool 5 winner
Team P Pts
France Clermont 626
France Bordeaux Bègles 614
England Exeter Chiefs 612
Ireland Ulster 610
Final standings Pool 3 winner
Team P Pts
England Saracens 624
France Toulon 616
Wales Scarlets 611
England Sale Sharks 64
Opponent Result Knock-out stage Opponent Result
France Toulon 29–9 (H) Quarter-finals Scotland Glasgow Warriors 38–13 (H)
Ireland Leinster 27–22 (H) Semi-finals Ireland Munster 26–10 (A)

Match

Summary

After both teams enjoyed attacking spells in the opening 10 minutes without putting points on the board, Saracens opened the scoring when the ball was spread towards the right wing to Alex Goode, who placed a grubber kick behind the Clermont defenders which was collected by Chris Ashton. The try, which could not be converted, saw Ashton overtake Vincent Clerc as the top try scorer in European rugby history. Saracens extended their lead soon after when George Kruis powered over from close range for the team's second try, this time converted successfully by Owen Farrell. A short time later, Clermont responded when a break by Aurélien Rougerie set up Remi Lamerat for their first try of the game, converted by Morgan Parra. This left the half-time score at 12–7 to Saracens.

In the second half, the first ten minutes again went scoreless, until a Farrell penalty. Clermont then brought the game to within just one point via a team move, which started with Scott Spedding counter-attacking from his own try line and ended with Nick Abendanon going over for the try, converted again by Parra. Following an exchange of penalties between Farrell and Parra, which kept the scoreline at a one-point advantage to Saracens, each team had try-scoring opportunities, but to no avail. Finally, in the closing stages, Saracens made their persistent pressure count when Goode crossed the line for a try in the corner, with Farrell landing a difficult conversion from out wide. With one last penalty, Saracens cemented their victory at 28–17, becoming only the fourth reigning champions in the tournament's 22-year history to successfully retain their title.

Saracens Number 8 Billy Vunipola was named the official Man of the Match, while fly-half Owen Farrell was presented with the 2017 ERCC Player of the Year Award. In securing victory, Saracens also achieved a record 18 consecutive unbeaten European games – a record stretching back to the first round of the 2015–2016 cup.

Details

13 May 2017
17:00
Clermont France17 – 28England Saracens
Try: Lamerat 26' c
Abendanon 51' c
Con: Parra (2/2) 27', 53'
Pen: Parra (1/1) 60'
ReportTry: Ashton 12' m
Kruis 21' c
Goode 72' c
Con: Farrell (2/3) 22', 73'
Pen: Farrell (3/3) 50', 57', 78'
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 55,272
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
FB15France Scott Speddingdownward-facing red arrow 71'
RW14England David Strettle
OC13France Aurélien Rougeriedownward-facing red arrow 54'
IC12France Remi Lamerat
LW11England Nick Abendanon
FH10France Camille Lopez
SH9France Morgan Parradownward-facing red arrow 75'
N88New Zealand Fritz Leedownward-facing red arrow 64' upward-facing green arrow 66'
OF7Fiji Peceli Yatodownward-facing red arrow 61' upward-facing green arrow 64' downward-facing red arrow 66'
BF6France Damien Chouly (c)
RL5France Sébastien Vahaamahinadownward-facing red arrow 46'
LL4France Arthur Iturria
TP3Georgia (country) Davit Zirakashvilidownward-facing red arrow 77'
HK2France Benjamin Kayserdownward-facing red arrow 67'
LP1France Raphaël Chaumedownward-facing red arrow 23' upward-facing green arrow 26' downward-facing red arrow 54'
Substitutions:
HK16Australia John Ulugiaupward-facing green arrow 67'
PR17France Etienne Falgouxupward-facing green arrow 23' downward-facing red arrow 26' upward-facing green arrow 54'
PR18Wales Aaron Jarvisupward-facing green arrow 77'
LK19France Paul Jedrasiakupward-facing green arrow 46'
FL20France Alexandre Lapandryupward-facing green arrow 61'
SH21France Ludovic Radosavljevicupward-facing green arrow 75'
FH22Argentina Patricio Fernandezupward-facing green arrow 71'
CE23France Damian Penaudupward-facing green arrow 54'
Coach:
France Franck Azéma
FB15England Alex Goode
RW14England Chris Ashton
OC13Argentina Marcelo Bosch
IC12England Brad Barritt (c)downward-facing red arrow 54'
LW11United States Chris Wylesdownward-facing red arrow 79'
FH10England Owen Farrell
SH9England Richard Wigglesworthdownward-facing red arrow 79'
N88England Billy Vunipola
OF7England Jackson Wraydownward-facing red arrow 61'
BF6South Africa Michael Rhodes
RL5England George Kruis
LL4England Maro Itojedownward-facing red arrow 79'
TP3South Africa Vincent Kochdownward-facing red arrow 79'
HK2England Jamie Georgedownward-facing red arrow 51'
LP1England Mako Vunipoladownward-facing red arrow 77'
Substitutions:
HK16South Africa Schalk Britsupward-facing green arrow 51'
PR17United States Titi Lamositeleupward-facing green arrow 77'
PR18South Africa Petrus du Plessisupward-facing green arrow 79'
LK19Scotland Jim Hamiltonupward-facing green arrow 79'
FL20South Africa Schalk Burgerupward-facing green arrow 61'
SH21England Ben Spencerupward-facing green arrow 79'
FH22England Alex Lozowskiupward-facing green arrow 79'
CE23Scotland Duncan Taylorupward-facing green arrow 54'
Coach:
Ireland Mark McCall

Man of the Match:
England Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

References

  1. "Clermont reach Champions Cup final as Camille Lopez seals win over Leinster". Guardian. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. "Saracens reach Champions Cup final as Chris Wyles seals win over Munster". Guardian. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  3. "Clermont Auvergne 17-28 Saracens: European Champions Cup final – as it happened". Guardian. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  4. "Saracens 28-17 Clermont: Sarries win thriller to retain Champions Cup". Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
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