European Challenge Cup: Pau 24-20 Worcester Warriors

Gareth Simpson's quick thinking produced Worcester's second try

Worcester fell to an agonising late defeat by Pau in their opening European Challenge Cup fixture in France.

Flanker Antoine Erbani went over under the posts in the final minute for a third try for the Top 14 club.

It put them ahead for the first and only time in a tight contest, leaving Worcester with a losing bonus point.

Warriors had earlier lead courtesy of a penalty try and Gareth Simpson's first-half score with Pau responding through Nicolas Corato and Eoghan Barrett.

Erbani's decisive try for the Top 14 club came after concerted pressure in the closing stages from the hosts' forwards.

• London Irish make winning start at Agen

Warriors replacement back row Caleb Montgomery was sin-binned for collapsing a maul leaving them a man short in defence and after almost 15 phases within inches of the try line, Pau eventually made their pressure count.

There was no time for Worcester to respond, having looked set to start their campaign with a win after asking plenty of questions in attack during the game.

Pau themselves received two yellow cards on the night, with full-back Charly Malie the first to be sin-binned for obstructing Will Butler's attempted chip and chase, which saw the penalty try awarded, and then back row Hubert Texier in the second half.

He was adjudged to have played a man on the floor shortly after winger Ed Fidow was hauled down by a high tackle when attempting an intercept try from his own 22.

Worcester face Ospreys at Sixways next Saturday in the second of their four preliminary stage fixtures while Pau travel to London Irish next Sunday, who won their opening fixture at Agen.

Pau: Malie; Barrett, Fumat (capt), Nicot, Votu; Debaes, Marques; Moise, Rey, Corato, Marchois, Ramsay, Erbani, Tagitagivalu, Ugena.

Replacements: Barka, Odishvili, Hamadache, Delannoy, Texier, Lebail, Harris, Couchinave.

Sin-bin: Malie (12 mins), Texier (60 mins).

Worcester: Pennell (co-capt); Hearle, Beck, Butler (co-capt), Fidow; Shillcock, Simpson; Thomas, Cutting, Carey, Merrick, Clegg, Batley, Lewis, Monks.

Replacements: Miller, Owen, Verden, Scott, Montgomery, Williams, Kitto, Van Breda.

Sin-bin: Montgomery (77 mins).

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita).

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