Clermont go top of pool with victory over Bordeaux-Begles

Clermont Auvergne took control of Pool Two in the European Rugby Champions Cup with a 28-10 win at Bordeaux-Begles on Friday night.

The visitors took advantage of the 50th-minute sending-off of the hosts' replacement lock Julien Le Devedec, who was dismissed just a minute after taking to the field for leading with his head.

Lionel Beauxis gave Bordeaux the lead with a penalty before Nick Abendanon scored the first of three tries for the visitors on the night.

Clement Maynardier briefly levelled the score at 10-10 when he went over in the corner for a converted score but Clermont hit back just before the break with a try from Camille Lopez.

Two more penalties from man of the match Morgan Parra - who finished with 13 points - extended the visitors' lead to 23-10 before Le Devedec's red card effectively sealed the home side's fate.

Last season's runners-up Clermont sealed victory when Jonathan Davies released wing Noa Nakaitaci to go over in the left corner for the visitors' third and final try of the night.