The Champions of England were smashed into submission at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday night , to further expose the vast gulf in clout between the Aviva Premiership clubs and their rich French rivals . This was a brutal mismatch and a shattering result , not just for the ambitious Saints but for the English game as a whole . Jim Mallinder ’ s men are imperious in domestic rugby — leading the league by 10 points — but they were simply obliterated by the formidable Top 14 giants . Clermont are nigh-on invincible at home and Northampton could do absolutely nothing to even fleetingly threaten their dominance in this raucous arena . Even in the brief moments when the Saints had the temerity to work up a head of steam and go through the phases , they were pounded back in the tackle and turned over time and time again . Clermont winger Noa Nakaitaci ( right ) scores his second try against Northampton . What unfolded was one-way carnage . France wing Noa Nakaitaci scoring two tries before half-time and Nick Abendanon , the ex-Bath and England full-back , capped a masterful display with a break-away try from 90 metres out . All the while , Brock James kept cranking up the points tally with supreme goal-kicking . Aside from the misery of being dumped out of the Champions Cup in such emphatic fashion , the concern for the Saints will be that this grim rout critically damages their confidence at a key stage of the season . For Northampton and England , there may also be worries over two leading forwards , as Courtney Lawes failed to reappear after half-time and Alex Corbisiero went off , apparently suffering pain in his right knee . Nick Abendanon of Clermont dives over to score a try at the Stade Marcel-Michelin . It was over as a contest long before half-time . There was a pronounced intensity deficit between the sides from the off , with Northampton losing the collisions and appearing somewhat sluggish in contrast to their fired up and energetic opponents . The procession began in the fifth minute when the Saints conceded an early scrum penalty . James landed his first shot at goal and the hosts were on their way . There was so much pressure from Clermont that it was just a matter of time before the Northampton defence was breached . Sure enough , the first try came in the 13th minute , as Fritz Lee blasted clear from a lineout on the right and he released Wesley Fofana . Abendanon cast his magic over the saints defence to inspire comprehensive victory . The France centre was tackled in the 22 by Lee Dickson , but the attack continued at a furious tempo and , when Nakaitaci carved inside off his left foot , he was half stopped , but managed to climb up off the turf , stretch and touch down . The try was confirmed by the TMO and converted by James . It didn ’ t help the Saints ’ already bleak cause that they missed their first scoring chance . After Courtney Lawes had pinched a Clermont lineout throw , the visitors won a penalty but Stephen Myler was off target with the kick . James landed another penalty , then came the two-try barrage which buried Northampton ’ s hopes of a famous result . At the heart of the onslaught was Abendanon . First , his break laid the platform for Fofana to burst deep into enemy territory and after Napolioni Nalaga was tackled short of the line , the ball was switched right and James ’ lofted pass sent Nakaitaci over for his second try . Northampton captain Dylan Hartley leads his team off the pitch after crushing defeat . James converted from a wide angle then two minutes before the break , the blitz continued . Jonathan Davies made ground in the centre , Fofana picked out Abendanon and he raced into space , drew the last defender and passed back inside for the home No 12 to charge clear and touch down . Once again , James added the extras and the Saints were sunk . After the break , James struck another penalty before Abendanon made his long-range dash to the line in the 55th minute , for another converted try . Eventually , with Julien Bonnaire in the sin-bin , Alex Waller crashed over to give Northampton something to show for all their desperate toil , but it was far too little , far too late . The horse had bolted . The game was up .
Northampton were 1 - 0 down at the break at the Stade saint - Michelin . Noa Nakaitaci , Wesley Fofana and mark Abendanon took over for penalties . Alex Waller scored a late goal for the visitors on Saturday afternoon .