Heineken Cup: Clermont Auvergne run in six tries to beat the Scarlets
The Scarlets paid the price for Morgan Stoddart's red card as Clermont Auvergne claimed a 49-16 win in the Heineken Cup.
Last Updated: 13/10/12 7:04pm
Wales international Stoddart was shown two yellow cards in the first half and his absence proved critical after the break as the hosts eased away to a bonus-point win.
The Scarlets had taken an early lead through a Jonathan Davies score but Clermont ran in a total of six tries as scrum-half Morgan Parra finished with a total of 23 points.
Davies' try came after just three minutes as the centre finished off a great move which was started by George North and went through the hands of Scott Williams and Rhys Priestland.
Parra soon got the home side on the scoreboard with two penalties though, the second of which came after Stoddart caught the ball in an offside position and was sent to the sin bin.
The visitors actually extended their lead while a man short as Priestland kicked a penalty and a drop goal, but the scores were levelled when Parra sent over Sitiveni Sivivatu for the hosts' first try.
Stoddart then earned his second yellow card after he did not roll away from a tackle, with Parra converting another penalty soon after to give Clermont a 16-13 lead at half-time.
And after the break the one-man disadvantage really told as a penalty try plus scores from former Scarlets man Lee Byrne and Damien Chouly wrapped the bonus point up before the hour mark.
Julien Bonnaire then took the try count to five in the final 10 minutes before Fijian wing Napolioni Nalaga intercepted a tired pass from Priestland in the last minute to complete the rout.
Only Bonnaire's try went unconverted, while a penalty from Priestland was the only score the Scarlets managed after the break.