They have hit the ground running this season and sit third in the Top 14 table having won six of their opening eight fixtures.

They also have a formidable European record at Stade Marcel Michelin where that have not lost in 11 Heineken Cup matches - since coming on the wrong end of a 32-15 defeat to Sale Sharks.

But they face a red-hot Scarlets outfit that lie second in the Pro12 table. They have scored more tries than any other team in the competition with George North claiming an impressive five tries in as many matches.

But the Welsh outfit have never beaten their Pool 5 rivals.

Match facts

Clermont wing Julien Malzieu made 16 clean breaks in this competition last season, four more than any other player. He also beat more defenders than anyone else (24).

Julien Bonnaire will be hoping to make it 50 Heineken Cup appearances this weekend.

Clermont have won eight and lost four of their 12 clashes against Welsh sides in this tournament.

Scarlets' Jonathan Davies made 12 clean breaks in six Heineken Cup appearances last year.

Scarlets have faced opponents from France on 37 occasions, winning 19 and losing 18.

Clermont scored 215 points in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup last season, more than any other side in the competition.

Clermont have not lost a home pool match in Europe since 2008 (15-32 v Sale Sharks) and have an overall win rate of 79% in this competition at home.

Of Scarlets' seven matches in Europe last season, only one was won by more than 10 points (Scarlets 17 - 29 Northampton).

Scarlets have a record of 21 wins and 32 losses away from home in the Heineken Cup, a win rate of 40%.

Scarlets were dumped out of the ACC quarter-finals by Brive last season despite scoring the only try of the match.