Vern Cotter believes his side's 15-12 win that robbed reigning champions Leinster of their 17 match unbeaten run in Europe has put pressure onto his old pal Joe Schmidt's shoulder ahead of Saturday's return match at the Aviva Stadium.
Something had to give in the battle between two of Europe's top teams at Stade Marcel Michelin, and it was the three-times champions Leinster who lost their record as Cotter's team made it 51 games without defeat at home.
Leinster's 17 game unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup had included two victories over Clermont, as well as two Heineken Cup final triumphs, but defeat in France has left them five points adrift at the top of Pool 5.
The return match at the home of Irish rugby this weekend, where more than 42,000 tickets have already been sold, will be crucial in determining who takes the automatic quarter-final spot from the Pool. That's why Cotter feels his team can travel without any heat on them.
"They came here to win the game and we were able to wrestle that away from them. We will be able to go over there and enjoy the event next weekend because there will be a little bit of pressure on their shoulders," said Cotter.
"It was a tense affair and a good battle - one of the most intense games we've played here for a long, long time. Four points is what we wanted and needed and they will do us a world of good.
"It was a good old boxing battle out there. We exchanged blows from the start to the end and we luckily sneaked away with a three point advantage.
"We are happy with the win, but not with the way we played in the second half. We didn't hold onto the ball long enough and they kept coming at us and are a great team.
"But, hopefully, this win will give our confidence a bit of a lift and allow us to go to the Aviva and not get treated to the same 24 points as we did two years ago."
