A late Leicester flurry amid the snow showers – converted tries for centre Anthony Allen, fly-half Toby Flood and substitute Jeremy Staunton – could not disguise Clermont’s dominance.

And such was the French club’s control, they will be favourites for a repeat Pool Three victory in next Saturday’s Welford Road return fixture.

Leicester, European champions in 2001 and 2002 and five-time Heineken finalists, are now three points off the pace being set in their group by Clermont and the Ospreys.

Clermont turned up the heat on a freezing afternoon, scoring tries through wing Napolini Nalaga (two), flanker Alexandre Lapandry, scrum-half Morgan Parra and lock Jamie Cudmore.

Fly-half Brock James kicked 12 points and full-back Anthony Floch dropped a goal, while Leicester conjured three tries during the closing 10 minutes and three Flood penalties.

It was the first time in Heineken Cup history that Leicester conceded 40 points, and defeat next weekend would nudge them perilously close to the exit door.

They have only failed to secure last-eight status once during the past five seasons, but the pressure has now been piled on them.

The Tigers rallied manfully during the closing stages, outscoring Clermont 21-5 after being 35-9 adrift, but it was a case of being too little, too late.

Leicester frantically searched for two losing bonus points, and one final counter-attack almost produced it, yet Clermont kept them out at the end of a closing quarter when they mentally switched off.

Clermont suffered a late blow when their Argentinian international prop Martin Scelzo was sidelined through illness, so Davit Zirakashvili deputised.

Leicester, meanwhile, were without the likes of Harry Ellis, Geordan Murphy and Julian White, but they still arrived in snowy mid-France with a dozen internationals.

James and Flood exchanged penalties during a lively opening, yet Leicester’s blindside defence was quickly exposed as Clermont struck through a brilliantly-executed attack.

Lapandry gathered wing Julien Malzieu’s off-load, and then linked superbly with Floch before crossing unopposed.

James added the conversion, giving Leicester an early reminder of what they were up against as Clermont dominated possession and looked to move it wide at every opportunity.

And the situation soon worsened for the Tigers, despite Flood booting a second penalty.

Nalaga, roaming off his wing in midfield seeking an opportunity to run at Leicester, made no mistake when the chance finally arose as he smashed through a weak tackle by Tigers’ New Zealand centre Aaron Mauger.

It was a poor effort by the former All Blacks star, and he could only look on as James converted to give Clermont a 17-6 lead.

Flood completed his penalty hat-trick 10 minutes before the break, just about keeping Leicester in contention, but that three-pointer was rapidly cancelled out by a Floch drop-goal.

The Tigers looked a comfortable second-best, unable to impose themselves on the contest, and Clermont deservedly added a third try on the stroke of half-time.

Nalaga was again Leicester’s tormentor, rounding off a superb spell of pressure and off-loading, and Tigers could have no complaints about an alarming 25-9 interval scoreline.

A James penalty and Parra touchdown took Clermont out of sight, but a bizarre second period ended with Leicester pushing for the losing bonuses.

Allen, Flood – who finished with 20 points – and Staunton all breached Clermont’s defence, which confirmed admirable Leicester spirit in the face of adversity.

Such a positive finish will give them hope for next weekend – but any repeat of their display during the first 60 minutes, and Clermont should complete a quickfire double.