However he was one of the standout players for Clermont as they just fell short in Bordeaux, Wesley Fofana dropping what would have been the matchwinning try two minutes from time.

Bonnaire said: “We are disappointed. In the last five minutes we nearly won the game. We could feel that they might break in the last five. In the end there was nothing in it, two or three mistakes.

“On the one hand we know there was not much in it, but on the other we know we have things to work on.

“The experience is probably one of those things. In the first half we didn’t play enough territory. They did that well in the second half, using the wind to pin us back.

“We know how tough it is to reach games like this. Now we have to move on and concentrate on the Top 14. We want to do everything we can to finish the season well.”