Wallaby lock saves Pau from Top 14 relegation in dramatic fashion

Wallaby lock saves Pau from Top 14 relegation in dramatic fashion

Wallaby lock Matt Philip, who will return to Australia, scored twice in Pau's final Top 14 game of the season on Saturday to help his side to 41-25 win over Montpellier.

Capped nine times by the Wallabies, Philip will return Down Under to resume his test career and join the Melbourne Rebels having relegation saving performance in his final game in Green. He crossed for his second try in the final moment of the game to secure the bonus point for Pau which was crucial as it sent Bayonne into a relegation play-off with Basque rivals Biarritz next weekend.

"We've done it. We'll remember that. It's massive what we've done. We stayed the masters of what we had to do," Pau captain Lucas Rey said.

"We're not world champions, but it's great," he added.

Bayonne needed just a win over Stade Francais to retain their Top 14 status but fell to 12-9 defeat. Stade was playing for a playoff spot and no face fellow French capital outfit Racing 92.


Phillip scored his first try after a brilliant break from Fijian winger Aminiasi Tuimaba, who had an outstanding game scoring two tries of his own.


His second try which sealed Pau's Top 14 status for next season came after a super cross kick from Clovis Lebail which former Chiefs centre Tumua Manu managed to keep in play and tap down to the lock. 

Manu also scored a try in the win while Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach snuck over for Montpellier with Julien Tisseron dotted down too.

The clash between Pau and Montpellier ended moments before the Bayonne-Stade Francais game and the celebrations kicked off with the news being announced over the PA system.





Full Highlights. 

In this Article

Latest News