La Rochelle give Ronan O'Gara plenty to smile about in seven-try rout

The Maritimes, with O’Gara in the stands as he begins his 10-week touchline suspension, were on top from first minute to last to win their third game in five.

La Rochelle Ronan O'Gara watches from the stands as his side register an easy win over Castres

RONAN O’Gara will have had little to complain about as his La Rochelle side returned to Top 14 action following the international break with a thumping seven-try 53-7 win over Castres at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

It was a walk in the Stade for the hosts, who scored their first try after just two minutes, a second in the 10th minute, two more in the first 40, and a fifth seven minutes into the second half. Two more Rochelais’ tries followed before an overwhelmed Castres finally broke their duck less than two minutes from the merciful release of the final whistle.