EDINBURGH HIT HALF-CENTURY AGAINST PAU

Edinburgh romped into the last 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup with an eight try win against Top 14 side Pau at DAM Health Stadium.
The capital side secured home advantage for the round of 16, however will have to wait until Saturday night to find out who their opponents will be next weekend.

The home side showed their brutish physical edge from the very first whistle, with heavy carries from Glen Young and Stuart McInally setting the tone. The latter bagged the first points of the evening, dotting down at the back of the rolling maul to kick off a high-scoring first half.

Connor Boyle marked his return to the starting XV by wriggling over the line for his first Edinburgh try, before quickly getting a brace from the back of another powerful driving maul.

Pau looked to attack from deep at every opportunity, however the Edinburgh men held firm before striking for the bonus point after half an hour played. Ramiro Moyano was freed down the wing after quick hands in the backs, before the Argentine flyer chipped a kick through; gathered by Henry Pyrgos who dived over to score.

Moyano almost added a spectacular try of his own, a dazzling run chalked off due to a penalty infringement, however the fifth try of the half was secured shortly after, with WP Nel channelling his inner winger to score in the corner.

The Argentina international did pick up a try almost immediately in the second 40, with Pyrgos returning the favour from the first half, chipping a kick over the top that Moyano was able to sprint onto to score.

Pau didn’t ebb away despite the scoreline, throwing everything at Edinburgh to find a score. For 15 minutes or so it was attack against defence, with Edinburgh keeping their French visitors at bay.

With 10 minutes to go Edinburgh added a brilliant team try, attacking their own half, going through multiple phases to creep upfield. Chris Dean offloaded well to Matt Currie who burst through the defence, before offloading to give Pierce Phillips a simple run in to score.

Pau scored a consolation try through Thomas Carol, but it was Edinburgh who had the final say, with Moyano scoring a solo try from deep to ensure the home side scored 50 points for the third home game in a row.