Superb hat-tricks from Clermont’s Damian Penaud and Peter Betham ensured the French club would play in their fifth Challenge Cup semi-final after a remarkable clash at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

After the quarter-final opened with a quiet 20 minutes, with Morgan Parra and Dan Biggar exchanging penalties, the game burst into life as centre Betham crossed for his first try of the evening.

A mistake from the Northampton back line then provided Penaud, son of Alain – who captained Brive to a European Cup victory 23 years ago – with an easy run-in to score.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Australia international Taqele Naiyaravoro was sin-binned for a foul after preventing a certain score. As a result, referee George Clancey awarded Clermont a penalty try.

Parra began the second half with another successful penalty kick, but it did not take long for Clermont to grab a fourth try. Penaud collected a divine pinpoint crossfield kick from Camille Lopez and set up Betham to power his way over. Parra was unable to convert the score, though.

Northampton responded with some great hands, with replacement Ahsee Tuala scoring and Rory Hutchinson converting his try.

However, Penaud was soon back on the scoresheet with his second try of the evening, after weaving his way over the whitewash. Parra was successful with the extras.

Luther Burrell, Alex Mitchell and Hutchinson all crossed for Northampton in the space of four minutes – all converted by Hutchinson – to bring them within six points of Clermont in front of a stunned home crowd.

But after a Greig Laidlaw penalty, Tim Nanai-Williams ended Saints’ dreams of a comeback victory by dotting down in the corner, before Betham and Penaud both completed their hat-tricks.

Alexander Moon scored the 13th try of the game at the death for Northampton, but it was Clermont who advanced to the semi-finals.

Today we take a look back at this day in 2019, when ASM Clermont Auvergne and Northampton Saints played out a 13-try bonanza in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.