Toulouse scored three tries to convincingly beat Castres 28-10 in the French Top 14 championship here on Friday night which augured well for next weekend's opening European Cup matches.

Third-placed Toulouse, who got two tries from centre Maleli Kunavore and another by winger Cedric Heymans, host England's Bath on October 12 in their opening Pool 5 fixture.

French international scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde however needed hospital treatment for kidney trouble on Friday and was ruled out of the match. Elissalde was replaced in the starting line-up by former All Blacks star Byron Kelleher.

Elissalde had been due to return to the starting line-up after a three-week absence caused by a left thigh injury.

Castres fly-half Cameron McIntyre of New Zealand had to sit out the match with gastro-enteritis, leaving Romain Boscus to make his debut.

The referee had hardly whistled for the start of the match when a kick by Kelleher put the Castres defence in danger.

Maxime Medard dived, the try was refused after video evidence though the move had shown Toulouse's clear attacking intentions. Kunavore got tries in the 11th and 28th minutes to turn intentions into reality.

Toulouse flyhalf David Skrela was on form with the boot, succeeding with two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

Just after the break, Medard set up Heymans for a try, the third for Toulouse which would have earned the bonus point though Castres touched down 10 minutes before time through centre Thomas Sanchou to deny their opponents that extra point.

AFP

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