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European Rugby Champions Cup: Nick Abendanon buzzing after Clermont thrash Sale

Image: Nick Abendanon: Notched try in win

Nick Abendanon set his sights on a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final spot after the former Bath full-back inspired Clermont Auvergne to an emphatic 35-3 victory over Sale.

An early try by Abendanon put the home side in charge, before wing Napolioni Nalaga claimed two second-half touchdowns and Aurelien Rougerie added the gloss with Clermont's fourth try of the night to secure the bonus point.

We were disappointed not to have beaten Saracens in round one but getting the bonus point here is fantastic for us because we are definitely looking at a quarter-final place.
Nick Abendanon

Abendanon was named man-of-the-match and afterwards paid tribute to the 17,591 fans who packed into the Stade Marcel Michelin to witness a one-sided victory.

The 28-year-old told the official tournament website epcrugby.com: "We were disappointed not to have beaten Saracens in round one but getting the bonus point here is fantastic for us because we are definitely looking at a quarter-final place.

"Now we have Munster home and away and we know they are going to be huge tasks.

"Things are going really well at the moment - we are top of the Top 14 and now second in our pool in Europe - and this has been a fantastic move for me and I am loving it."

He added: "It is an amazing stadium to play in and this is one of the main reasons I made the move from Bath.

"It is unbelievable to play in front of so many people who make so much noise, it is fantastic, and winning with a bonus point was very pleasing as we stuck to our guns."

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