Greig Laidlaw kicks Clermont Auvergne to Challenge Cup win over La Rochelle

• Clermont Auvergne 36-16 La Rochelle
• Laidlaw’s 18 points seal third Challenge Cup title

Not since the heyday of David Ginola has there been as much Gallic interest in Newcastle and the trek to watch the Challenge Cup final was definitely worth it for the travelling yellow army of Clermont Auvergne supporters. For the first time in 12 years their team have secured a European trophy, 18 points from the boot of Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw helping to reward a forceful team effort.

It was a slightly more bittersweet evening for the Clermont captain, Morgan Parra, who was helped off inside the first quarter with a knee injury which may yet interfere with his World Cup prospects. On this occasion it had only a limited effect, Laidlaw taking over the goal-kicking duties to steer his adopted club to a raucously celebrated success, their first since they beat Bath in 2007. The Michelin men have also now equalled Harlequins’ record of three Challenge Cup titles.

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from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2PZM0Gb