Clermont scored six tries to the Scarlets' one but the scoreline could have been much closer had Morgan Stoddart not been sent off three minutes before half time.

The Scarlets wing, who was playing just his second game since returning from a 14-month injury lay off, saw red for a second yellow card after he failed to roll away having made a tackle a metre short of his own line.

The scores were level at 13 points apiece when Stoddart departed but Clermont were comfortable winners from that point onward.

The Scarlets had gone ahead through Jon Davies as early as the fifth minute but a converted effort from the in-form Sitiveni Sivivatu tied things up shortly after the half hour.

Rhys Priestland and Morgan Parra had kicked eight points each before Parra punished Stoddart's second indiscretion to hand the hosts a 16-13 lead at the interval.

Clermont then increased that advantage just after the sides returned courtesy of a penalty try. Nathan Hines' charge down of Priestland's clearance provide the initial platform and the pack did the rest by forcing the Scarlets front row to buckle under pressure.

The French giants effectively put the game to bed after Priestland had kicked another penalty as Lee Byrne touched down against his old club on 48 minutes. Again, Sivivatu provided the telling contribution as his wrap-around pass saw the Wales and Lions full back race down the right touchline.

Parra's fine form with the boot continued as he added the extras and Clermont were celebrating the bonus point with 25 minutes still left to play when No8 Damien Chouly powered over from close-range.

The Scarlets refused to lie down but further scores from Julien Bonnaire and Napolioni Nalaga added an even greater gloss to Clermont's winning margin.