International News

PARIS, June 3 (APP/AFP): Clermont have learned from their
heartbreaking European Cup defeat to Saracens and are ready to make amends in Sunday’s Top 14 final against Toulon, France international Camille Lopez warned.
The side from the Massif Central lost 28-17 in Edinburgh last month,
missing the European title at the final hurdle for the third time in five years.
“We’ve earned the right to replay a final. We’ve learned from last
month’s loss, I hope it will be beneficial for tomorrow,” said the 28-year-old fly-half.
Clermont have also finished Top 14 runners-up 11 times — most
recently in 2015 — with just one title in 2010.
“I’ve been luckly since arriving at the club two years ago to play
the final phase every year, big matches,” said Lopez.
“Playing high level matches at top intensity allows you to build,
acquire experience, regardless of the results, because we have often had negative results.”
Lopez is now desperate to finally lift a trophy as the only
individual success the France fly-half has won was a French U18 title with lower league Mauleon.
“We’re competitors above all and want to win,” added Lopez, who will
not join up with the France squad for their South Africa tour to undergo
unspecified surgery.
Brock James’s departure for La Rochelle has aided Lopez’s progression
at Clermont with Sunday’s final his 25th match this season.
“Unconsciously, the fact that Brock left may have influenced me. This
allowed me to be more liberated.
“He was an important person in this club, he was very involved. Maybe
even if I had some playing time, I would have stayed in the background a little more.”
Pulling the strings for Toulon opposite Lopez will likely be Anthony
Belleau, who gave Toulon a spot in the final with the last kick of their
semi-final against La Rochelle, or perhaps Australian great Matt Giteau, who
will be making his final appearance for Toulon.
“It doesn’t matter which players are on the other side,” said Lopez.
“What’s important is our game, before looking at the Toulon team. My
duel with the opposition fly-half will not be the priority.”