Clermont claimed a third title in Europe with a clinical 36-16 victory over La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup final in Newcastle on Friday.

In an all-French final, a try by Damian Penault helped Clermont to a 13-6 half-time lead, while second-half five-pointers to Fritz Lee and Wesley Fofana killed off any hopes of a comeback from La Rochelle .

Greig Laidlaw also played a key role off the bench, striking four penalties and three conversions as Clermont joined England’s Harlequins as the only three-time winners.

‘It’s a reward for a season of effort,’ said Clermont coach Franck Azema. ‘We started the season with the ambition to win, and we were consistent.

‘It’s good for confidence, these high intensity matches. We were patient, we were able to resist when we were under pressure. It bodes well for the Top 14.’

Clermont – Tries: Damian Penaud, Fritz Lee, Wes Fofana. Conversions: Greig Laidlaw (3). Penalties: Morgan Parra, Laidlaw (4).

La Rochelle – Try: Uini Atonio. Conversion: Ihaia West. Penalties: West (3).

Clermont Auvergne – 15 Isaiah Toeava, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra (captain), 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Arthur Iturria, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Etienne Falgoux.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Beka Kakabadze, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams, 23 Apisai Naqualevu.

La Rochelle – 15 Vincent Rattez, 14 Arthur Retiere, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Pierre Aguillon, 11 Marc Andreu, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Mathieu Tanguy, 4 Romain Sazy (captain), 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Jean-Charles Orioli, 1 Dany Priso.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Vincent Pelo, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Thomas Jolmes, 20 Zeno Kieft, 21 Alexi Bales, 22 Jérémy Sinzelle, 23 Botia Veivuke.