Clermont Auvergne crashed out of the European Champions Cup after getting their sums wrong in a dramatic finish to their final Pool 2 match at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.
The home side would have progressed through to the quarter-finals with a losing bonus point but they failed to realise the significance of a last-minute penalty awarded to them in front of the posts and, instead of going for goal, ran the ball in a vain attempt to score a fifth try.
Clermont had led 28-20 after 62 minutes but conceded 17 points while down to 14 men with Julien Bardy in the sin-bin to suffer a 37-28 loss to Bordeaux-Begles.
.@ASMOfficiel needed just a penalty for a losing BP and a place in the quarters. @MorganParraOff had other ideas... https://t.co/6hKuWt65e0
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) January 24, 2016
It ended Clermont's 25-game winning run at home in Europe going back to 2008 as they finished bottom of the group in which Exeter booked a place in the knock-out stages thanks to a bonus-point win over Ospreys.
Clermont, who began the day two points behind Ospreys, made a dream start by racing into a 14-0 lead after six minutes thanks to tries from Jonathan Davies and Noa Nakaitaci, both converted by Morgan Parra.
However, forwards Berend Botha and Sebastien Taofifenua both powered over for tries, goaled by Lionel Beauxis, as Bordeaux drew level and two penalties from Baptiste Serin either side of half-time put them 20-14 in front.
When Damien Chouly and Paul Jedrasiak went over for quickfire tries, Clermont looked to have booked their last-eight berth but Bordeaux made full use of the extra man, with Paulin Riva and Peter Saili scoring tries that broke the hearts of the home fans.
Earlier, Ulster's faint hopes were dashed when Stade Francais beat Leicester.
As the dust settles on a day of drama, here are the confirmed @ChampionsCup quarter-finals! pic.twitter.com/YGjGCQLJFa
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) January 24, 2016
There will definitely be an English team in the final in Lyon with four of the five Premiership sides on the same side of the draw.
The winner of Saracens v Northampton Saints will play Wasps or Exeter Chiefs.
Thee-in-a-row defending champions Toulon face Johnny Sexton's former club Racing for the right to play Leicester or Stade Francais.
There are no quarter-final representatives from Ireland, Italy, Scotland or Wales.
