Gloucester Edge Castres 34-14 in Champions Cup Return at Kingsholm

Gloucester survive a windy challenge from Castres to win 34-14 on their Champions Cup return, sealing a valuable bonus-point as late tries cap the victory and boost their Pool 2 campaign.

Champions Cup match report

Gloucester returned to European rugby with a 34-14 victory over Castres at Kingsholm, delivering a determined performance in gusting winds.

The match swung on discipline and penalties as Castres led early and Gloucester responded, before a 14-14 halftime score set the stage for a late Gloucester surge.

Key moments

Castres opened with a try as Vuate Karawalevu raced in after intercepting a pass.
Gloucester answered through Freddie Thomas after a clever build-up by Tomas Williams.
Will Trenholm crossed for Gloucester, a try later confirmed by a television official, tying the score before halftime.
Castres extended their lead with Loris Zarantonello's try; Popelin converted.

After the break, Deian Gwynne was sin-binned for 10 minutes, but Gloucester steadied and took the lead through Ross Byrne's penalties.

The French side pressed on with the wind behind them, yet discipline deteriorated late in the game as Christian Ambadiang and Gauthier Doubrere were also sin-binned.

Finish and implications

Charlie Atkinson scored two late tries to seal the bonus-point win for Gloucester, who finished second in Pool 2 behind Bath on points difference.

Next up for Gloucester is a trip to Thomond Park to face Munster at 17:30 GMT on Saturday 13 December. Castres travel to Edinburgh on Sunday 14 December at 13:00.

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.

Expert opinion

Expert comment: Analysts praised Gloucester's game management and accuracy under pressure, noting that penalties at the right times shifted momentum. They also warned Castres paid the price for ill-discipline in the closing stages.

Summary

Gloucester began their Champions Cup campaign with a spirited win, weathering early danger and a tough wind to grab a valuable bonus-point. The hosts pulled clear after a 14-14 halftime, with two late tries sealing the result. The win keeps Gloucester well-placed in Pool 2 as they head to Munster and a subsequent clash with Edinburgh.