Clermont extend home stranglehold

The bonus-point win, achieved from 0-6 down early in the opening half, came courtesy of three tries all scored by forwards – skipper and prop Thomas Domingo, No.8 Fritz Lee and lock Paul Jedrasiak.

It meant Grenoble were left still searching for their first win at the Stade Marcel-Michelin since 2004 while Clermont sit on top of the table after two wins in two games.

"The international players are not here so it's up to us, the younger players to seize our opportunities and play our best when we can," said the 22-year-old Jedrasiak.

"Ten points in two matches – it's a perfect start to the season."

Both Clermont and Grenoble had started their season with impressive wins on the opening weekend of the 14 season.

Clermont, the European and Top 14 runners-up last season, crushed La Rochelle 44-6. Grenoble saw off promoted Agen 38-23.

It was Grenoble who settled the quicker of the two sides Friday as Irish scrumhalf James Hart kicked two penalties for a 6-0 lead while Clermont flyhalf Camille Lopez, left out of the French World Cup squad this week, went wide with two difficult attempts.

But the home side went into the interval 7-6 to the good thanks to the half's only try.

Clermont patiently worked the ball across the field before New Zealand wing Hosea Gear released Domingo for the try.

Loosehead prop Domingo barged over from close range after cleverly gathering Gear's tricky pass. Lopez hit the target this time with the conversion.

Clermont were comfortably on top after the interval with Jedrasiak having a try ruled out for obstruction in the build-up.

Lopez popped over two more penalties for 13-6 which soon became 18-6 when Samoan No.8 Lee peeled off the back of a rolling maul to score.

Jedrasiak had the final say when he clinched a third try for his side in the dying moments bursting through an inviting gap from the breakdown.

Lopez added the simple conversion.

Top 14 table (played, won, drawn, lost, points for, points against, bonus points, total points):

Clermont       2 2 0 0 69 12 2 10

Montpellier    1 1 0 0 35 19 1  5

Grenoble       2 1 0 1 44 48 1  5

Toulouse       1 1 0 0 24  7 0  4

Stade Francais 1 1 0 0 34 18 0  4

Racing Metro   1 1 0 0 27 22 0  4

Bordeaux       1 1 0 0 19 16 0  4

Castres        1 0 0 1 16 19 1  1

Toulon         1 0 0 1 22 27 1  1

Agen           1 0 0 1 23 38 0  0

Pau            1 0 0 1 18 34 0  0

Oyonnax        1 0 0 1 19 35 0  0

Brive          1 0 0 1  7 24 0  0

La Rochelle    1 0 0 1  6 44 0  0

Agence France-Presse