Castres top Munster's Pool after bonus-point win

Castres Olympique 29 Newport Gwent Dragons 24

Castres moved ahead of Sale Sharks to the top of Pool One but only after surviving a late flurry from Newport Gwent Dragons.

Welsh wing Gareth Wyatt crossed twice in the final 15 minutes as the Dragons threatened to pull off a major shock in the south of France.

Gareth Cooper also scored as the visitors earned a bonus point but it was not enough to steal the all-important victory.

Newport Gwent showed early on that they were not going to be intimidated. They got off to a lively start showing an early willingness to spread the ball at every opportunity but predictably it was the sheer force and power of the Castres pack that broke the deadlock after 16 minutes.

Castres have recruited shrewdly and with their financial might brought the considerable power of All Black props Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft to the south of France.

The pair have helped Castres step their way up the table in the French Championship and both were involved in the combined shove from a lineout which saw hooker David Roumieu driven over from close range despite Newport's best efforts.

Laurent Marticorena converted for a 7-0 lead which was reduced minutes later by Craig Warlow's penalty as the Dragons persisted with their attacking spirit. Gareth Cooper and prop Rhys Thomas both went close to the line after Michael Owen's involvement in both moves but it was Castres who crossed again before half an hour.

This time Castres got the ball away from their forwards as quickly as possible and caught the Dragons off guard with a swiftly-taken scrum and a moment of magic by Yann Delaigue.

Number eight Guillaume Taussac broke until he was snared by Owen, full-back Jean-Baptiste Peyras burst into the attack before a stunning pass by Delaigue behind his back sent Samoan wing Laloaoa Milford cantering over in the corner. Marticorena again converted for the 14-3 half-time lead.

That was extended straight after the break when Delaigue created Milford's second and Marticorena converted and added a penalty to open a 24-3 lead.

But the Dragons refused to lay down and Cooper finished off some neat footwork by Sweeney on 53 minutes.

Castres caught the Dragons with a counter-attack as Marticorena scored and it proved vital as Wyatt finished off Morgan's scorching break before going alone six minutes from time.