O'Gara's frustration: Third loss in four Top 14 games as La Rochelle lose at home to Castres

Former Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster enjoyed better fortunes as Racing 92 climbed to third in the table with a 19-16 win at Montpellier.

TOP 14: Castres win away from home, Racing 92 into Top three, Lyon defeat Clermont Toulon beat Oyonnax and Toulouse come from behind to defeat Bordeaux . Pic: LOIC VENANCE / AFP

La Rochelle twice let an 11-point first-half lead slip as they lost 24-27 to Castres in the first match at an expanded Stade Marcel Deflandre, as the Top 14 returned after an eight week non-compete pause for the Rugby World Cup.

The defeat - their third in four matches - saw Ronan O’Gara’s side slip to 11th. Castres ended the weekend in second place, behind first-time leaders Pau.