Clermont's season depends on European progress: Parra

CLERMONT-FERRAND: Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra said the French champions are playing Sunday's European Champions Cup quarter-final to avoid having a "shitty" season.

His side host Racing 92, the team they succeeded as French champions, in the last eight of European club rugby's premier competition knowing that their season rests on those 80 minutes.

Clermont's Top 14 title defence has been a disaster as they sit down in ninth following last Sunday's humiliating 49-0 thrashing by Toulon.

They are 16 points off the top six play-off places with just four matches to play, meaning they have almost no hope of defending their crown.

"We're playing for our season, we know it," said Clermont captain Parra.

"Either you're still alive (after Sunday) or the season stops there and it will be, excuse the expression, shitty.

"We will have messed up, even if we've had lots of injuries. We can't put everything down to injuries."

Clermont beat Racing comfortably in the Top 14 semi-finals last season before going on to record a second title in seven years.

But 12 months on and Racing, who sit second in the league, appear far better equipped to progress to the semi-finals than their hosts.

"Obviously, it means it's THE match of the season -- it will determine what comes next," said wing Remy Grosso.

Last weekend's Toulon humiliation has left no scars on Clermont's players, according to coach Franck Azema.

"Even if the return from Toulon was tough, the excitement is starting to build.

"The concentration we felt ahead of the last European Cup clashes is there."