A couple of early drop-goals from Clermont fly-half Camille Lopez either side of a Marcus Smith penalty gave the French outfit an early advantage, before Lopez’s half-back partner, Morgan Parra, added a three-pointer to stretch his side’s lead.

After a nervy opening quarter, the game came alive courtesy of some marvellous work from Clermont back-rower Fritz Lee, who took advantage of some excellent phase play to power over for the first try of the evening. Parra added the extras.

Two-time winners Clermont scored their second try shortly afterwards through Damian Penaud, after the France winger used his electric pace to kick past Mike Brown, collect the ball and slide across the whitewash. Parra converted the score.

Harlequins, three-time winners of the Challenge Cup, responded with a try of their own via experienced full-back Brown, who finished superbly in the corner after some majestic work in the lead-up by Smith. The fly-half was unable to convert the try, though.

A Parra penalty ensured Clermont were comfortable leaders at the break and the captain kicked another two three-pointers in the 47th and 54th minutes.

However, Quins did hit back through tries from captain Chris Robshaw and replacement James Lang – with Smith securing the extras – to pile the pressure on Clermont and threaten a sensational second-half comeback.

That looked even more likely when back-row forward Alex Dombrandt went over in the 80th minute, but Clermont were able to hang on and book their spot in the Challenge Cup final.

On this day in 2019, ASM Clermont Auvergne held off a late Harlequins fightback to win at the Stade Marcel-Michelin and reach the European Rugby Challenge Cup final.