French side Pau blasted Ebbw Vale out of the Parker Pen Shield with a nine-try victory.

Pau trailed the home-and-away fixture by 26 points after crashing to the Welsh side 29-3 at Newport's Rodney Parade last Monday.

But in south west France, Ebbw Vale slumped to 42-0 down at half-time as the talented French side played with flair and exposed defensive mistakes.

French internationals Damien Traille and Imanol Harinordoquy were at the forefront of Pau's domination.

Traille breached the defence in the second minute for the first try, before former Wales rugby league international Martin Pearson added the first of his nine conversions.

Vale fought back after the break but Pau soon added to their six first-half tries, running the ball with ease.

Romanian hooker Marius Tincu bagged his second try and was joined by fellow forwards Pierre Som and Maurice Barrague on the scoresheet.

Vale rallied late on as wing Andrew Bevan grabbed two tries and New Zealander Aaron Takarangi also went over.

Pau will face fellow French outfit Castres in the semi-final.

Pau: Peyras, Pearson, Artiguste, Traille, Cistacq, Aucagne, Carbonneau, Guatieri, Tincu, Sourgens, Cleda, Jolly, Carre., Som, Harinordoqui.
Reps: Laperne, Larrouy, Bortolasso, Barrague, Toevalu, Arrieta, Seftaret.

Ebbw Vale: R Davies; A Takarangi, R Shorney, E Binham, A Bevan; S Mitchell, B Shelbourne; A Black, J Evans, M Jones, O Booyse, P Sidoli, C Billen (capt), T Morris, K Tuipulotu.
Reps: D Penisini, P Jones, K Crawford, W Thomas, N Wakley, M Meenan, T Bagg.

Ref: Andy Ireland (Scotland)