FLY-HALF Duncan Weir starred with the boot as Worcester Warriors beat Pau at a sodden Sixways to return to the top of Pool Two in the European Challenge Cup.

Pau opened the scoring with a try from Ben Mowen but Warriors hit back in fine fashion with superb scores from Josh Adams and Alafoti Fa’osiliva.

Weir converted both and dispatched three penalties to extend his side’s lead before Worcester produced a stunning defensive effort to shut Pau out in wretched conditions.

Sports reporter Geoff Berkeley picked out five talking points from Saturday’s clash.

DEAD-EYE DUNCAN SHOOTS HOSTS TO VICTORY

Weir’s kicking statistics say it all. The 27-year-old has not missed a kick at goal in his past four matches in all competitions, converting all 15 of them. An incredible return.

It’s almost becoming a given that he will score when he opts to go for goal from whatever angle and whatever distance.

Even with a stiff breeze and driving rain Weir picked his spot and coolly slotted the ball home on five occasions on Saturday to put Warriors in command.

The Scotland international also kicked well out of hand, putting his trusty right boot through the ball to alleviate pressure.

HOW DID THE NEW SECOND ROW GET ON?

Since making the switch from New Zealand to Worcester in early November Warriors’ fans have been eager to see Michael Fatialofa in action.

That moment finally came on Saturday having overcame a knee issue to start against Pau.

The rustiness showed as he knocked the ball on four times during his 50-minute stint but Fatialofa also demonstrated his qualities.

Aside from the first lineout Fatialofa ran the set-piece brilliantly in torrid weather, gave the pack a bit of much-needed oomph and flew into some tackles.

All in all it was a decent debut from Fatialofa who formed a good partnership with fellow long-hailed lock Anton Bresler.

WARRIORS WEATHER THE STORM

After Mowen powered over from close range on seven minutes Warriors refused to give Pau an inch from that point onwards.

Worcester have produced several top defensive displays this season and this was right up there with the best of them as they battled against the elements too.

Pau put the hosts under all sorts of pressure in the second half with a series of scrums and lineouts.

It was not pretty for the 6,773 supporters who braved the conditions to watch but Worcester stuck to their defensive structure and got their rewards.

FLANKER ENDS TWO-YEAR WAIT

The last time Carl Kirwan played for the first-team Carl Hogg was in charge of Warriors.

It has been a long, frustrating wait for Kirwan who has undergone two shoulder surgeries and sustained a torn hamstring. But his efforts to get back onto the pitch were rewarded.

With Fa’osiliva forced off after injuring himself when scoring under the posts Kirwan was called upon on 16 minutes.

Kirwan made the odd error but emptied his tank with a wholehearted display.

There were also welcome returns for Jonny Arr and Marco Mama. Arr was back in the starting line-up for the first time since early September and controlled the game well for Worcester.

Mama also impressed on his comeback from a hamstring injury with some strong work at the breakdown.

BACK IN TOP SPOT BUT A TRIP TO WALES AWAITS

Warriors took full advantage of Ospreys’ 12-3 defeat at Stade Francais to replace them at the summit.

Alan Solomons’ men are now two points clear of the Welsh outfit but there is still work to do to secure a place in the knock-out stages.

A trip to Ospreys awaits Warriors on Saturday, January 12 – a contest that is likely to decide the group. Worcester then host Stade who will be looking to avenge their 38-27 defeat in Paris a week later.