Ulster's Challenge Cup hopes ended by ruthless Clermont

Ulster saw their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup crushed by Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin as the French heavyweights ran in seven tries.

Back-row forward Nick Timoney touched down twice for Ulster, with both scores converted by scrum-half John Cooney, but the visitors had no answer to Clermont's pace and all-court game.

Number-eight Pita-Gus Sowakula scored two tries, as did flanker Peceli Yato, while Alex Newsome, Rob Simmons and Joris Jurand also breached the Ulster defence as Clermont romped home through 33 unanswered second-half points.

Fly-half Anthony Belleau kicked four conversions and two penalties, with Bautista Delguy and Sebastien Bezy each landing a conversion.

Edinburgh exited also after suffering a 36-30 quarter-final defeat against the Sharks in Durban.

Despite leading narrowly at half-time, Edinburgh were ultimately undone by a Sharks team that put poor United Rugby Championship form to one side.

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