Plummer shines again but red card costs Clermont in 46-24 defeat to Bayonne

Harry Plummer produced his second consecutive standout performance of the Top 14 season, yet it was not enough to prevent Clermont from falling 46-24 to Bayonne on Sunday, leaving the club ninth in the standings after three rounds.

The former All Black, who scored a crucial try late in the first half when Clermont were trailing by 24 points, could not prevent the home side from pulling clear in the final quarter. Bayonne ran in three unanswered tries after Argentinian flanker Marcos Kremer was shown a red card, a moment that effectively ended Clermont’s hopes of a comeback.

Plummer’s individual quality has been one of the few consistent bright spots for Clermont this season. The playmaker finished last campaign as the Top 14’s leading point-scorer with 295 points — including six tries, 71 conversions, 37 penalties and four drop-goals — and is now in his second year at the club following a trophy-winning stint with the Blues, whom he led to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title. He also earned a Test cap off the bench for the All Blacks in their 31-28 victory over the Wallabies in November 2024.

Plummer’s form in round two against Stade Français Paris illustrated his all-round influence. He chipped ahead, regathered, and delivered an inside ball to set up the decisive try, before tracking back to make a crucial tackle and then winning a breakdown turnover penalty inside Clermont’s own 22 to help seal a 25-16 win.

Joining Plummer in the Clermont backline is former Blues teammate AJ Lam, who started outside his long-time half-back partner for the first time in Clermont colours against Bayonne. The All Blacks XV midfielder had previously featured off the bench, scoring in the final minute against Lyon in round one before a brief cameo in the Stade Français victory.

Clermont, sitting ninth after three games, host Castres in round four before a home fixture against Top 14 heavyweights La Rochelle. Lyon remain the only unbeaten side in the competition.