Racing 92 and Clermont share the spoils in a drama filled Top 14 clash

A match that Clermont really should have put to bed early in the second half and one that Racing really could have won.

Clermont started the match brightly with Wesley Fofana intercepting and scoring in just the first minute as Racing looked as if they had a Champions Cup hangover. Louis Dupichot replied quickly for the visitors with Machenaud adding the extras and a penalty.

Clermont looked to have taken control of the match with two quick fire tries from Apisai Naqalevu and Remy Grosso with Grosso's try and John Ulugia's try separated by a Machenaud penalty. Lopez looked to have given Clermont a handy 12 point advantage but Racing had other ideas with some magical handling abilities giving Olivier Klemenzck a try on the hooter as the sides went into the break with Clermont up 25-18. 

Parra and Machenaud traded penalties after the break with Parra getting another before his side conceded a penalty try from one of the finest mauls you will ever see from about 20 metres out. Machenaud levelled the scores with 4 minutes to play with a penalty. From the resulting restart, Juan Imhoff sprinted into the Clermont half before Gomes-Sa knocked the ball on with a minute to play. The Racing scrum won the penalty on Clermont's feed with a massive shove setting Machenaud up for the match-winning penalty. However, the reliable goal kicker missed a relatively easy kick - by his high standards - and the game ended all square.

The result, in the end, is probably a fair one with Clermont dominating the opening stages before imploding in the latter. Camille Lopez's exit from the clash really hurt the home side while Racing did well to come from behind but didn't look like the better side on the day. Full time: Clermont 31-31 Racing 92.