Leinster Clermont has kicked off in disastrous circumstances for the Irish side: they trailed 15-0 within as many minutes of the start in Lyon. Clermont crossed for the opening try after just three minutes, through flanker Yato. That you can watch below.
Things were only to get worse from there: Isa Nacewa was then sin-binned for a pull back on David Strettle, with Morgan Parra kicking the penalty. Within six minutes of Nacewa's leaving the field, Strettle exploited his absence on the left-wing to touch down for a second try, with Joey Carbery left badly exposed at full-back.
Leinster really struggled off their own set piece in the early stages, losing two of their own lineouts within that horrifying opening fifteen minutes.
This is going very wrong very quickly for Leinster
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) April 23, 2017
Leinster going wide but not resourcing the rucks. Getting turned over way too easily.
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) April 23, 2017
Leinster under huge pressure at the breakdown. Parra whipping the ball out of the ruck clean there - shouldn't happen #ASMvLEI
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) April 23, 2017
Leinster going too wide too quick. When the accuracy isn't there, it over stretches your ruck work #ASMvLEI
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) April 23, 2017
The raw power of #Clermont is frightening . Difficult for #Leinster to play their way into the game when they're on the back foot.#CLEvLEI
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) April 23, 2017
JVDF would be helpful for Leinster to sort the B /D out 🏉
— Nigel James TT1F (@nigeljames2003) April 23, 2017
Currently watching the semi final of the European Champions Cup in Lyon. #Leinster, feel free to join in when you feel like it.
— Jason O'Mara (@jason_omara) April 23, 2017
Clermont back row rampant. Dominant in the rucks. Leinster pack needs to up it - no platform here. #CLEvLEI
— Simon Farrell (@SFarrell_5) April 23, 2017
The other talking point from the first-half is the pointless kit clash that's going on:
Surely these kits are way too similar #CLEvLEI
— Jonny Small (@smalljon90) April 23, 2017
Why are these two wearing kits that look almost the same? 🤔#CLEvLEI
— Huw Stark (@starky88) April 23, 2017
Who on Earth chose these kits?! #CLEvLEI
— Theo Vukasinovic (@TheoVuka) April 23, 2017
Morgan Parra missed a kickable penalty before half-time to give Leinster a bit of a let-off: they trail 15-3 at half-time.
