Leinster kicked off their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a resounding 48-23 victory over Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel-Michelin. This win marks a significant step towards their ambition of securing a fifth European title.

In a match featuring seven tries, Leinster's head coach Leo Cullen fielded a strong lineup packed with Ireland internationals, which proved effective against a struggling Clermont side. The scoring opened with Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan both crossing the line in the first half, but Clermont briefly took the lead with a try from Joris Jurand and 11 points from fly-half Harry Plummer.

Key moments included:

• Prendergast's stunning try just after the break, setting the tone for Leinster's dominance.
• A penalty try awarded to Leinster after Nohem Ez Zahouany was sin-binned.
• Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien sealing the convincing win with late tries.

Despite a spirited effort from Clermont, including a try from Mathys Belaubre, their inconsistency in the Top 14 this season became apparent. The match began with a tribute to Hyron Andrews, the former Lions lock who recently passed away at the age of 31.

With this performance, Leinster not only secured a bonus point but also demonstrated their attacking prowess and depth, setting a strong precedent for the rest of the tournament.