Light in the gloom: Introspective Stormers believe they belong despite Clermont setback

The Stormers made no excuses for a humbling debut in the European Champions Cup, culminating in a 14-24 loss to Clermont, but, encouragingly, realised that a defeat doesn't mean they can't compete in this competition.

Indeed, for the first 40 minutes of the contest, John Dobson's troops displayed many of the qualities that led them to last season's inaugural URC title, controlling proceedings well to lead 14-3 at halftime.  

The turnaround, however, was pronounced as Clermont's radical change in tactics, as well as their execution, which caught the Stormers off-guard.

Ironically, that's actually a positive thing.

"This is the epicentre of French rugby with an amazing record and history and the truth is we feel helluva disappointed that we didn't win," said Dobson.

"That shows we are at the top table where we want to be. We now know a bit better what it will take to win European games and theoretically our next three games shouldn't be as hard as we've just been through, so that's reason for optimism."

READ | Stormers suffer another second-half fade as Clermont roar back for Champions Cup win

But the implosion in the second half warrants strong introspection.

"There were obvious mistakes, the knock-ons in our 22 and kicks going out directly. That's one element," said the Stormers mentor. 

"Where we were also poor is that we were imperious at the contestables in the first half and then simply weren't in the second. Critically, we got softer wider on defence.

"Normally we're known as a team that can really make reads and fly off the line to cut off runners. They got too easy to our 15s and once they get the ball to your two 15s, your forwards are on the back foot in the middle field trying to stay on-side. That was really poor. 

"We