IT’S NOT ONLY a battle of European heavyweights on the pitch today as Clermont host Munster in the Champions Cup [KO 15.15 Irish time], but also in the stands.
Munster’s travelling support have built a superb reputation around the continent over the last decade, while ASM’s fanbase is well known as welcoming, loyal and passionate.
There was a truly unique spectacle this afternoon in Clermont-Ferrand, as the ‘Yellow Army’ invited the ‘Red Army’ to join them on a three-kilometre march from Place de Jaude in the city centre out to Stade Marcel-Michelin.
The party started last night, in truth, but there were 4,000 ASM supporters involved in today’s march, and well over 1,000 Munster fans too. Here’s how it went down.
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Fans started to gather in Place de Jaude from 13.30 local time, with the signing sparking up straight away
Clemont’s fans love a party
Source: Murray Kinsella/YouTube
Source: TheScore.ie
A dark, overcast afternoon in Clermont but the rugby diehards added colour
Source: TheScore.ie
https://vine.co/v/O62jl5FBxnZ
The Michelin man turned up to support his local team
Source: TheScore.ie
As did Asterix and Obelix!
Source: TheScore.ie
This group of Munster fans burst into ‘Stand Up and Fight’
https://vine.co/v/O62IwbXqxAb
While this little pocket belted out ‘The Fields of Athenry’
Source: TheScore.ie
The marching got underway
Source: TheScore.ie
Source: TheScore.ie
Source: TheScore.ie
Led by the Yellow Army’s very own brass band
Source: TheScore.ie
https://vine.co/v/O6229aDub9K
The drum truck came in handy too
Source: TheScore.ie
Source: TheScore.ie
These clever Munster fans hitched a ride
Source: TheScore.ie
Source: TheScore.ie
While the Waterford lads strolled out to Marcel-Michelin
Source: TheScore.ie
This old bus?
Source: TheScore.ie
That would be for the brass band!
Source: TheScore.ie
Faces in the crowd
The London Branch of the MRSC. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Barry John Ryan, Tim O’Sullivan and Anthony Ryan from Mallow, Cork. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Munster fan Patrick Doyle. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
All roads lead to Stade Marcel-Michelin
Kick-off is at 15.15 Irish time.Here’s what the French papers are saying about Munster’s visit to ClermontAnalysis: What Munster must do to take a win away from Clermont
