The must-watch match of the Top 14: CAB-ASM

A little history of the CAB and ASM

Rugby first appeared in the Massif Central at the beginning of the 20th century. The CAB was created in 1910 from the merger of two clubs, the Briviste football club and the Stade Gaillard. A year later, the Michelin company, on the initiative of its director Marcel Michelin, created the Michelin Sports Association, which was originally intended to promote the well-being and personal development of the company's workers.

The two clubs came into being at the same time, with the first match taking place on 16 January 1927 in Clermont-Ferrand. It is important to note that the Brivistes did not manage to win against their main rival before the war.

After the war, the two clubs played each other in important matches, such as the quarter-finals of the French championship in 1949, where CAB beat ASM for the first time, enabling them to reach the semi-finals of the championship for the first time in their history. Despite being relegated to the second division, the two clubs continued to play each other in the finals until the 2000s.

From the 2000s onwards, the derby gradually became a derby of extremes. ASM kept the upper hand over the Gaillard club for the majority of matches, although there were some fine victories for CAB. Despite being relegated to the second division, the CAB never lost its courage, bravery and will to win, and returned to the Top 14!