The script turned brutal even before kick-off. Jimi Maximin, originally named in the starting XV, was forced to withdraw after suffering concussion in the warm-up. The victim of a heavy blow to the head, near the eye, he was replaced at the last minute by Mickaël Capelli.

More bad news right at the end of the match with Émilien Gailleton going off injured. The young France centre, a rising figure in French rugby, hurt his shoulder. While the exact nature and seriousness of the injury were not specified by the Pau management, the first suggestions made in the immediate aftermath by observers point to a possible dislocation, confirmed by the player himself on Canal +, which would mean a potentially significant lay-off.

These two injuries take the shine off a spectacular Béarn performance and raise concerns with the European Cup around the corner…