Pau overcome Stade Francais 35-32 to secure semifinal place

Pau 35-32 Stade Francais, Stade du Hameau
Scorecard

Marvin O'Connor with a 78th minute try brought Stade Francais painfully close to a victory against Top 14 rivals Pau, who managed to hold on to a three points crucial lead to reach the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Both the teams scored four tries each with two fly-halves converting three each.

It was Tom Taylor's third penalty on the 74th minute which proved decisive in the end for the hosts.

Jale Vatubua (4), Benson Stanley (22), Thibault Daubagna (37) and Quentin Lespiaucq (52) crossed over the try line for Pau.

In response, Clement Daguin (6), Charlie Francoz (40), Djibril Camara (43) and O'Connor (78) scored tries for the visitors.

After scoring a converted try and a couple of penalties more than the visitors, Pau took a sizable 13 points lead at the end of the first-half. However, an impressive fight-back brought Stade Francais agonizingly close to tasting victory.

Pau will now face the winner of Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues contest in the penultimate round of the tournament.