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Investec Champions Cup
Gloucester (14) 34
Tries: Thomas, Trenholm, C Atkinson (2) Cons: Byrne (4) Pens: Byrne (2)
Castre (14) 14
Tries: Karawalevu, Zarantonello Cons: Popelin (2)
Gloucester held their nerve to beat Castres 34-14 on their return to the Champions Cup after a two-year absence on a wild afternoon at Kingsholm.
With the score tied at 14-14, the Cherries were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Deian Gwynne was sent to the sin bin.
But two vital penalties from Ross Byrne after the sin bin period ended gave Gloucester breathing space until Charlie Atkinson scored two late tries.
Castres scored converted tries from Vuate Karawalevu and Loris Zarantonello before half-time, with Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas and Will Trenholm going over for tries converted by Byrne as both sides defied the howling wind.
Errors crept in after the break, and then Gwynne was shown a yellow card after his hand connected with the eye area of Florent Vanverberghe.
But the French Top 14 side lost their discipline in the closing stages, with Christian Ambadiang and Gauthier Doubrere also being sent to the sin bin.
The late tries for substitute Atkinson sealed a bonus point win for the Cherries in their first match in the competition since 2022-23.
More to follow.
What’s next?
Gloucester travel to Thomond Park to take on Munster at 17:30 GMT on Saturday, 13 December, while Castres will host Edinburgh at 13:00 on Sunday, 14 December.
Line-ups
Gloucester: Redshaw; Joseph, Llewellyn, Atkinson, Thorley; Byrne, Williams; Knight, Blake, Gotovtsev, Thomas, Alemanno, Gwynne, Ludlow, Trenholm.
Replacements: Innard, Rapava Ruskin, Fasogbon, Jordan, Basham, Austin, Atkinson, Russell.
Castres: Chabouni; Ambadiang, Karawalevu, Botitu, Baget; Popelin, Fernandez; Walcker, Zarantonello, Azar, Ducat, Vanverberghe, Delaporte, Cope, Ramototabua.
Replacements: Durand-Pradere, Sokobale, Chilachava, Maravat, Papalii, Doubrere, Herve, Goodhue.
Match officials
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistant referees: Ian Kenny (Sco), Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
