Intro:

Wingers Chris Ashton and David Strettle scored two tries a-piece as Saracens beat visitors Clermont Auvergne 30-23 in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Script:

A Heineken Cup semi-final rematch, Saracens met Clermont Auvergne for their first fixture of the European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday.

Four minutes in it looked like it'd be a repeat of last season's clash, when David Strettle sprinted down the left wing and passed back inside for Chris Ashton to touch down.

Strettle's pass appeared to have gone forward, but replays show the ball coming of Wesley Fofana's hand.

A missed conversion meant the Sarries only went 5 points ahead for 5 minutes.

Clermont levelling when fly-half Camille Lopez offloaded to Zac Guildford, who grounded the ball despite the best efforts of Brad Barritt.

Lopez kicked the conversion and added a penalty five minutes later, putting the visitors into a 10-5 lead.

However, Saracens struck back just before the 30 minute mark to level the score going into half-time.

After the break, Clermont struck first - Guildford beating Alex Goode to Ludovic Radoslavjevic's box kick and sprinting down the wing for his second try of the game.

Saracens responded two minutes later.

Strettle matching Guildford's brace to score in the corner.

But the game was decided in the 63rd minute when Chris Ashton scored another opportunistic try.

Guildford failed to hold on to a hanging kick from Hodgson and Ashton kicked the ball on, before taking it on the bounce and diving over for his second try of the game.

And despite some late pressure, Saracens held on for a 30-23 win.