Clermont Auvergne vs Bordeaux match report: French rivals play out Pool Five thriller as Clermont take the spoils

Clermont Auvergne 49 Bordeaux-Begles 33: Clermont top Pool Five after brilliant fightback

Wesley Fofana celebrates with Camille Lopez after scoring a try (Getty)

Clermont defeated French rivals Bordeaux 49-33 in a hugely entertaining Champions Cup clash at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday.

Bordeaux made a strong start as Jean-Marcel Buttin and Jayden Spence crossed for tries, with Ian Madigan kicking the extra points on each occasion. However, the boot of Morgan Parra limited the damage for the Top 14 leaders as he was successful with three penalties.

Clermont then flexed their muscles with Noa Nakaitaci scoring before half-time, and Parra again adding the extras, to give the hosts the lead before Alexander Lapandry and Wesley Fofana ran in tries and Sebastien Vahaamahina bagged the bonus point.

But Bordeaux claimed a bonus of their own as Buttin posted his second try of the match before setting up Met Talebula, while Gauthier Doubrere scored a late consolation.

Clermont remained top of Pool Five with 10 points after round two and Bordeaux stayed behind them in second spot, for now, with Ulster and Exeter still to play.

PA