Heineken Champions Cup: Ulster hold on after late Clermont charge to claim 34-31 win

Ulster survived an almighty late scare to secure second place in Champions Cup Pool A by beating Clermont 34-31.

The hosts led by 22 points with only 10 minutes remaining in Belfast but the French side scored three quickfire tries to set up a tense finish.

Ulster scored five tries, including a pair from Rob Herring and a first for Springbok Duane Vermeulen, in another impressive attacking display.

They will face the side that finishes seventh in Pool B in the last 16.

That spot is currently occupied by reigning champions Toulouse, whose final position will not be confirmed until games involving Stade Francais and Wasps are played on Sunday.

Clermont are currently sixth in Pool A, and will advance to the last stage if at least one of Glasgow or Montpellier do not win their final group-stage encounter.

For Ulster, their 19-point haul is impressive and they head into the next round with this season's undefeated European record in tact — however there will be concern over the manner of their late capitulation that nearly cost them a seemingly comfortable win on Saturday.

Already assured of qualification, and knowing only an unrealistic winning margin of 87 or more would see them overtake Pool A leaders Racing 92, Ulster's brief for the final group-stage match was to claim a win that would ensure a home tie in the second leg of the next round and home quarter-final should they reach that stage.

They started well, capitalising once more on their tried and tested formula of kicking for the corner from penalties and entrusting their dangerous attacking maul.

Herring scored from two at the start and end of a first half in which their control of possession and territory were somewhat nullified by poor discipline in their own half.

Morgan