Seven-try Leinster too strong for Clermont

Tries: Furlong, Sheehan 2, Prendergast, penalty try, Conan, T O'Brien Cons: Prendergast 3 Pen: Prendergast

Leinster launched their quest for an elusive fifth European title with an ultimately comprehensive bonus-point win over Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Beaten finalists for the fifth time in eight seasons in May, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen loaded his line-up with Ireland internationals and it paid dividends in a seven-try display in their pool one opener.

While Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan scored first-half tries for Leinster, the hosts edged in front before half-time thanks to Joris Jurand's score and 11 points from the boot of fly-half Harry Plummer.

But a superb try from Prendergast - who scored 16 points - within two minutes of the restart set the tone for the second half as the Irish province pulled away with a penalty try awarded before Sheehan struck for the second.

Mathys Belaubre responded for Clermont before Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien wrapped up a convincing victory for the four-time champions.

Before kick-off, there was a moment's silence in memory of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday aged 31.

Former Sale player Andrews died at the South African team's hotel a day before their Champions Cup match in La Rochelle.

Clermont have struggled in the Top 14 so far this season with four defeats in six, and their fragility was evident early on when Furlong crossed in the ninth minute after Jimmy O'Brien had gone close for Leinster.

While Clermont responded with a couple of Plummer penalties, Sheehan pounced on the tryline to score Leinster's second after the home side's line-out went awry.

Winger Jurand responded for Clermont, who led by a single point at the break after Plummer nailed a long-range penalty.

Following a testing opening period, Prendergast provided Leinster with a moment to savour early in the second half.

The fly-half, who also impressed in last week's United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff, surged through Clermont and picked out Jimmy O'Brien with a kick. The winger controlled the ball with his foot and gathered before picking out the onrushing Prendergast, who ran in under the posts.

Already wounded, Clermont's hopes were further dented when referee Matthew Carley awarded a penalty try with prop Nohem Ez Zahouany sin-binned.

That was followed by Sheehan's second try, and while replacement centre Belaubre touched down in style for the home side, Conan and O'Brien scores in the final quarter of an hour added gloss to the scoreline for the visitors.

Clermont: Bouraux; Delguy, Lam, Darricarrere, Jurand; Plummer (capt), Baptiste Jauneau; Akhaladze, Massa, Ez Zahouany, Lanen, Swain; Tixeront, Hemery, Kevin Noah.

Replacements: Narisia, Lotrian, Frisach, Vargas, Chalus-Cercy, Vermeulen, Germain, Belaubre.

Sin-bin: Ez Zahouany (56)

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Prendergast, Gunne; Porter, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, J McCarthy, Ryan, Baird, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Usanov, Clarkson, O'Tighearnaigh, Penny, Coffey, Carbery, J Osborne.