Dragons RFC will need to win on the final weekend of the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup after defeat to Section Paloise at Rodney Parade.
Axel Desperes' trio of penalties was enough to take Pau into the break with a 9-8 lead after Aaron Wainwright muscled over to keep the Men of Gwent in it.
The French side scored their opening try in the second half through Clément Mondinat to go 19-8 up.
Before adding a third through Dan Jooste, with Rio Dyer scoring a consolation for Dragons as Section Paloise won 24-15 and earned their spot in the Round of 16.
