The 49-year-old has picked out back-row forward Alexandre Fischer, wing Cheikh Tiberghien, lock Jacobus van Tonder, prop Sipili Falatea and scrum-half Kevin Viallard to follow in the footsteps of the likes of centre Wesley Fofana, who came through the Clermont ranks.

“There are some lads who are coming through into the squad at the moment,” said Azema, who has been in charge of the French club since 2015.

“I’m thinking of lads like Alexandre Fischer, who has already shown good things, who is not a brand-new player in this competition, but who doesn’t have an enormous amount of experience in it.

“We must also talk about Cheikh Tiberghien, who has been playing with us since the start of the season, [Jacobus] van Tonder, who is gradually making his way into the group, and Sipili Falatea too. There’s also Kevin Viallard.

“These are the lads who are starting to have a growing role in our team, little by little.”

Azema is banking on them on producing more memorable Heineken Champions Cup moments for the three-time finalists, such as their 37-5 quarter-final win over Northampton Saints in 2015 at Stade Marcel Michelin.

“There are games that stay in your mind, especially our quarter-final here against Northampton [Saints] at the Michelin, because the atmosphere that you have in the TOP 14 is, I find, magnified in the Champions Cup,” the Clermont boss said.

“Obviously, the finals [stick in your mind], even if we lost, because it’s so difficult to get there, and then they are good clashes as well. I could definitely mention the game in Saint-Étienne against Saracens.

“Then there are also the pool games, like the one against Bath last year, or at Munster a few years ago. Those are the matches that form part of the history of the club.

“There were also the clashes against Leinster. It’s definitely these images and clubs that come to mind.”

ASM Clermont Auvergne head coach Franck Azema has highlighted several young players to watch from his side in the coming seasons of the Heineken Champions Cup.