Pau 28-31 Ospreys: Visitors snatch home tie in R16 with late win
2025-01-17
Category: sports

European Challenge Cup: Pool 2Pau (14) 28Tries: Attissogbe, Brau-Boirie, Penalty try, Roudil Cons: Desperes 3Ospreys (7) 31Tries: Conbeer, Boshoff, Morgan, Edwards, L Davies Cons: Edwards 3
Ospreys produced a stunning late comeback at Pau to snatch a home tie in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.Pau led through scores from Theo Attissogbe, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Eliott Roudil and a penalty try as the home scrum threatened to dominate.But Jac Morgan and Morgan Morse inspired Ospreys who twice came from behind in the second half to claim a significant victory.Evardi Boshoff, Morgan, Dan Edwards and Luke Davies all crossed after Ryan Conbeer's first-half try.The bonus-point win secured second place in Pool 2 and home advantage in the next round on the weekend 4-6 April.It also symbolised a remarkable turnaround from their last visit to France â at Montpellier in December - when a record European defeat saw Toby Booth bring forward his departure.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: "It's great to secure a home knockout match in front of our fans."This was an incredibly tough match with both teams locked together for the majority and we had to stick together at a few pressure moments."You know you have to score plenty of tries to have a chance of winning in France and that's an area we're really trying to improve."
Ospreys did well to limit Pau's lead to 14-7 at half-time as Steffan Thomas and Morgan both denied home forwards over the try line.But the running angles of wing Attissogbe and centre Brau-Boirie proved the difference, either side of Conbeer's score.The Ospreys wing made his first appearance since October and was handed an easy finish by Morgan's quick pass after lock Will Spencer had galloped up field.Ospreys emerged galvanised for the second half and their rapid start saw Gregoire Arfeuil shown a yellow card for blocking Edwards' looping pass.Morgan's appeal for a penalty try was waved away but Ospreys swiftly capitalised with two tries during the 10-minute card.Boshoff barged through before Morgan duped the Pau from the back of a ruck with the defence expecting Kieran Hardy to pass.Pau's scrum threatened to turn the tide with the impact of ex-England prop Harry Williams off the bench â winning a penalty try and setting up their fourth.Trailing 28-19, Morgan Morse then inspired a late comeback with a stunning solo display in the final eight minutes.His breaks first saw Edwards dive over before replacement Davies crossed four minutes from time to claim a surprise late win.
Pau: Clement Mondinat; Theo Attissogbe, Eliott Roudil (capt), Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gregoire Arfeuil; Axel Desperes, Thomas Souverbie; Ignacio David Calles, Romain Ruffenach, Guram Papidze, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Remi Picquette, Joel Kpoku, Thibaut Hamonou, Luke Whitelock.Replacements: Youri Delhommel, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Harry Williams, Brent Liufau, Dan Jooste, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Dan Robson,Emilien Gailleton.Sin bin: Arfeuil (43)Ospreys: Iestyn Hopkins; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Steffan Thomas, Lewis Lloyd, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, James Fender, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse.Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Tristan Davies,  Luke Davies, Tom Florence, Jack Walsh.Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)Assistant referees: Francesco Meschini & Luca Bisetto (FIR)TMO: Guiseppe Vivarini (FIR)