Clermont

ASM Clermont Auvergne have a unique relationship with the city of Clermont-Ferrand and the tyre company Michelin.

Clermont Rugby Club was founded in 1911 as part of a multi-sport club called AS Montferrand. Although the rugby section changed its name to ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2004, both French and foreign rugby union fans still commonly refer to the side as Montferrand.

Read on to learn even more about Clermont Rugby. On this page, you'll find all the latest news about the team, as well as an overview of the side's upcoming fixtures and most recent results.

Clermont Rugby Club also has strong links to tyre giant Michelin, who settled in Montferrand in 1889. The club was actually started by Marcel Michelin, the son of the founder of the tyre manufacturer. As a result, when the team was first formed, they were called AS Michelin. However, due to a legal obligation, they changed their name to AS Montferrandaise.

But, Clermont Rugby Club still has ties to Michelin to this day. For example, the team plays in yellow and blue, which are the traditional colours of the French tyre manufacturer. Similarly, the team plays home matches at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.

In the history of the competition, Clermont Rugby Club have reached the final of the French championship on 14 occasions. However, it wasn't until 2009-10 that the side finally won the trophy. Prior to this, the team had reached the final 10 times and had lost on each occasion.

Since their 2010 triumph, they've reached the final three more times. They were victorious again in 2017, but lost the final in 2015 and 2019. In the team's history, they've also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir three times (1938, 1976 and 1986) and won the Coupe de France once (2001).

Over the years, Clermont Rugby have also represented France in European competitions. Since around the turn of the 21st century, they've been highly successful. In 1999, 2007 and 2019, the side won the European Rugby Challenge Cup, which is the second-tier tournament in Europe. However, although the side have also reached the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2013, 2015 and 2017, they're sadly yet to lift European rugby's most prestigious piece of silverware.

Due to the success of the Clermont Rugby team over the years, the side has featured a number of former international players, including Australian centre and fly-half Pat Howard, former South Africa captain John Smit and French lock Jérôme Thion. In fact, several international players still play for Clermont Rugby today. They include current France international Wesley Fofana.