Bayonne's French scrum-half Maxime Machenaud (C) is tackled during the French Top14 play-off against Clermont in south-western France
Bayonne (France) (AFP) - Bayonne crushed Clermont with a dominant 20-3 win in Friday’s French Top 14 play-off to set up a semi-final showdown with reigning champions Toulouse.
Returning to the knock-out stage of the French championship for the first time in 33 years, Bayonne mastered the wet conditions best to remain undefeated at home this season.
“The post-match emotions were magnificent, we’ll pay a small penalty for the pitch invasion,” said Bayonne manager Gregory Patat.
“I told the players at halftime that we’ve laid the foundations, we need to finish. It was a controlled match, with difficult conditions for both teams.”
Clermont, champions in 2010 and 2017, never got into the game which was played in stormy weather with persistent rain preventing play from developing.
The winner of the tie at a sold-out Stade Jean-Dauger will now face record 23-time champions Toulouse next Friday in Lyon.
Patat conceded on paper “the fight looks unbalanced” against Toulouse.
“We are aware of their expertise, their competitive spirit,” he said.
“They’ll want to put us in our place. We’ll go there with our arguments, I think we have everything to gain.”
Bayonne’s hopes of reaching the last four had been dealt a blow with former England centre Manu Tuilagi sidelined with a rib issue.
But they were dominant throughout, with fly-half Joris Segonds scoring two penalties and a drop goal, his fourth of the season, in the first half.
Clermont’s Argentinian veteran Benjamin Urdapilleta, in his final professional appearance, accounted for their only points with a penalty for 9-3 after 27 minutes.
Bayonne's Tom Spring (L) scored the only try on a rainy night in south-western France
Fly-half Camille Lopez came off the bench after 55 minutes for the hosts and proved decisive against his former team with his first kick setting up Tom Spring to finish behind the line (14-3).
“I don’t know if we’ve realised it, but it’s something incredible,” said Lopez.
“Three years ago when I arrived here, I never would have thought I’d be here today and experience this. We’re lucky to have a big crowd, a crazy stadium.”
For Clermont manager Christophe Urios his team “weren’t up to the task in many areas”.
“The best team won. My overwhelming feeling is one of bitterness.”
On Saturday, Toulon host Castres with a semi-final spot against Bordeaux-Begles at stake.
The Top 14 final takes place on June 28 in Paris.