Still no away slow dance for Clermont, who miss the last dance

Clermont take a losing bonus point but have now lost all four of their away games.

At La Rabine on Saturday, Clermont missed the last dance. Leading 23-6 on 46 minutes, they lost 27-26 to a Francisco Gorrissen try on 79 minutes, converted by Anthony Bouthier, and are still without an away win this season.

Vannes had not won in the Top 14 since 26 April 2025, when they beat Toulon 29-19. Ten straight defeats later, the promoted side finally got off the mark on Saturday in round 7, taking the lead only with the last kick of the match.

Clermont 17 points clear

Clermont controlled the game for a long time. Harry Plummer opened the scoring with a penalty (9th minute) and added another (14th), before Baptiste Jauneau scored the first try on 25 minutes (0-13). Jean Cotarmanac’h replied with two penalties (29th, 36th), but Clermont led 16-6 at the break. Giorgi Dzmanashvili stretched the gap in the 46th minute (6-23).

Three tries, all converted by Bouthier

The Vannes maul sparked the comeback: Millenium Sanerivi, on as a replacement in the 50th minute, scored six minutes later (13-23). Plummer gave his side some breathing space (13-26, 61st), before Ioane Iashagashvili crossed (20-26, 67th). Down to 14 men after Inia Tabuavou was injured in the last ten minutes, Vannes found a way through via their Argentinian captain Francisco Gorrissen in the 79th minute. Anthony Bouthier, who landed all three conversions, gave the hosts their first lead of the match. For Clermont, prop Sacha Lotrian was stretchered off with a right ankle injury.

It is Vannes’ first win over Clermont in three Top 14 meetings, after a 20-19 home defeat in January 2025. Clermont, who arrived on the back of three defeats in all competitions, have lost all four of their away games this season. Vannes remain bottom for now on 5 points, four behind Castres, while Clermont are eleventh on 12 points, with the rest of the round still to be played.