ASM Clermont Auvergne, the Jaunards

From AS Michelin to ASM Clermont Auvergne

The club was founded in 1911 under the influence of Marcel Michelin, son of André Michelin, one of the two brothers leading the tyre manufacturing. It later became the Montferrand sports association, named after Montferrand, the old town merged with Clermont in the seventeenth century, before adopting its current name in 2004. The yellow and blue, colours associated with Michelin, earned its players the nickname Jaunards. Marcel Michelin, involved in the Resistance, died in deportation in 1945; the club's stadium bears his name today as a tribute to the founder.

The other clubs

The clubs in Top 14 and Pro D2 are also varied:

• Stade Toulousain.
• Stade Rochelais.
• Union Bordeaux bègles.
• Racing 92.
• Castres Olympique.
• RC Toulon.

All the clubs are listed on the Top 14 and Pro D2 page.

Marcel-Michelin Stadium and the Yellow Army

The Marcel-Michelin stadium, with nearly twenty thousand seats, is one of the most difficult venues to conquer in Europe. Between November 2009 and May 2014, ASM won all their matches there across all competitions, a streak of over seventy consecutive victories that still serves as a reference in professional rugby. The stands belong to the Yellow Army, supporters from all over Auvergne who follow the team in droves during the final phases: in Paris, London or Dublin, Clermont's European finals often resemble a yellow tide.

Brennus, European Challenge and yellow and blue ball

Long accustomed to lost finals, ASM finally claimed the Bouclier de Brennus in 2010 against Perpignan, then reclaimed it in 2017 against Toulon. In Europe, it won the European Challenge in 2007 and 2019, and contested three finals of the major European Cup, in 2013, 2015 and 2017. The club's rugby ball features yellow, blue, and the Clermont crest: sturdy for passing and kicking in the garden, it also makes a great keepsake to display on a shelf or to get signed after a training session.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in good plans, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals present the latest collections, and the items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the year-end festivities, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

What great players have made history for Clermont?

Aurélien Rougerie, who spent his entire professional career at Clermont, lifted the Brennus in 2010 as captain. Scrum-half Morgan Parra, who joined in 2009, played in both French championship titles, in 2010 and 2017.

Who does ASM play in the Massif central derby?

The Massif central derby pits Clermont against CA Brive, their neighbouring club from Corrèze. These matches, very physical, attract supporters from both sides and are among the most anticipated fixtures on the Clermont calendar.

Is the ASM ball a match ball?

It is a supporter ball, stamped with the club's crest, designed for casual play and decoration. For repeated training sessions at the club, a training ball with a more grippy surface, made to withstand tackles and ground impacts, is preferred.

What size ball should I give to a young Clermont supporter?

A child under nine plays with a size three ball, a young person aged ten to fourteen uses a size four. Size five, the adult match size, is necessary from the age of fifteen; for a decorative gift, size is less important.

How do I keep a rugby ball in good condition?

Wipe it down after playing in the rain and let it air dry, away from a radiator which can dry out the surface. Inflate it with a slightly damp needle, to the pressure indicated near the valve, and store it out of direct sunlight.