ASM Clermont Auvergne director of rugby Franck Azéma has insisted that his club’s three European Cup final defeats in five years are long gone and that Friday night’s Challenge Cup decider in Newcastle represents a new chapter in the club’s history. Clermont, who face first-time European finalists La Rochelle at St James’ Park as they chase a third Challenge Cup, lost the 2013 and 2015 European Cup showpieces to RC Toulon along with the 2017 climax to Saracens. But Azéma said: “We’re not thinking of our defeats in recent finals. I have often heard people talk about them, but I think the mentality has changed. It’s a new chapter for many players.” The Clermont chief was full of praise for La Rochelle, who are two places and 16 points behind them in the TOP 14, but have beaten them at Stade Marcel Deflandre this season. “La Rochelle have a very good squad,” he said. “We know them well. The team have a lot of impact with their pack of forwards, a half-back pairing that has a lot of experience and guys with a lot of pace behind them. This group have been together for a very long time and have experience. https://twitter.com/ERChallengeCup/status/1126468764445347841 “The two clubs have a great identity and culture. There is a deep fabric. We know we will be up against a big opponent on Friday. We need to prepare to be as calm as possible.” Azéma, a Challenge Cup winner with Montferrand as a player in 1999, was hugely impressed with Newcastle United Football Club’s stadium, that will also host the Heineken Champions Cup final on Saturday. “We realise that we are going to play in a magnificent stadium,” he said. “It’s a beautiful arena. You can feel that the public will be ready for the players.” https://twitter.com/ERChallengeCup/status/1126480782556565505 Clermont scrum-half Greig Laidlaw – who tasted success in the Challenge Cup with Gloucester Rugby in 2015 – believes Friday’s clash is different to other European finals, since his club have played La Rochelle twice already this season in the TOP 14. “There’s a massive opportunity and a massive game as well,” said the 33-year-old Scotland international. “It’s more similar for us this week, as we are playing French opposition and a team we know quite well. “Obviously, it’s going to be a difficult game against a quality team in La Rochelle, but we are really happy so far with how our season has gone and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead tomorrow night.”