Bayonne back in the Top 14

Editor

Bayonne have secured promotion back to the Top 14 for next season after beating Aurillac 21-16 in the ProD2 play-off final on Saturday.

While they didn't cross the whitewash, the Basque side did enough to see off their challenger and join Lyon in playing in the top flight.

Seven penalties from Martin Bustos Moyano, six of which came during the first half, proved enough to get Bayonne over the line ahead.

In reply, Aurillac scored a try through New Zealander Jack McPhee, with Maxime Petitjean slotting the extras along with three penalties.

Agen and Oyonnax will replace Lyon and Bayonne in Pro D2 next season.

The scorers:

For Bayonne:
Pens: Bustos Moyano 7
Yellow Cards: Taele-Pavihi, Whitelock

For Aurillac:
Try: McPhee
Con: Petitjean
Pens: Petitjean 3

Bayonne: 15 Martin Bustos Moyano, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Benjamin Thiéry, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Julien Jané, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Guillaume Rouet, 8 Pieter-Jan van Lill, 7 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 6 Jean Monribot, 5 Pierre Gayraud, 4 Pablo Huete, 3 Richard Choirat, 2 Grégory Arganèse, 1 Aretz Iguiniz 
Replacements: 16 Simon Labouyrie, 17 Roman Ayarza, 18 Pelu Taele, 19 Jean-Jo Marmouyet, 20 Charlie Cassang, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Julien Tisseron, 23 Anton Peikrishvili

Aurillac: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Alexandra Fagasoaia Luatua, 13 Robert Lilomaiava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Conor Gaston, 10 Maxime Petitjean, 9 Paul Boisset, 8 Flavien Nouhaillaguet, 7 Pierre Roussel, 6 Latuka Maituku, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Utu Maninoa, 3 Feliuaki Taukeiaho, 2 Manu Leiataua, 1 Antoine Fournier
Replacements: 16 Adrien Pelissie, 17 Maxime Escur, 18 Romain Briatte, 19 Marius Vialle, 20 Theo Nanette, 21 Jakobus Kemp, 22 Albert Valentin, 23 Anthony Alves

Referee: Cyril Lafon