Newport were undone by a rampaging Castres team and conceded five tries to two as the French side cruised to their first win in the Heineken Cup.

Newport's chances of progression to the knockout stages are now extremely slim.

Their cause was not helped with four key players having to leave the field with injuries, captain Gary Teichmann, lock Ian Gough, full-back Matt Pini and winger Matt Mostyn all suffering.

Gregor Townsend and Shane Howarth swapped early penalties before Castres struck when lock Thierry Bourdet used his strength to score, although a touch judge had his flag raised only to lower it.

Determination

Townsend was successful with the conversion, but Newport were determined to make a fight of it.

A kick by scrum-half Darren Edwards was picked up by winger Ben Breeze who dived over for an unconverted try.

Townsend kicked his second penalty, and then hooker Remy Vigneaux was driven over from a line-out for a try which the Scot converted.

In first-half injury time Castres scored again when centre Guillaume Delmotte arrowed across after a fine handling move. Townsend converted.

Newport then lost their four injured players in quick succession, although Howarth kicked two penalties to reduce the deficit.

Castres came back strongly again.

Bourdet and Francois Plisson scored more tries, with a Gough touchdown just before he limped off Newport's only remaining consolation.

Scorers - Castres: Tries: Plisson, Delmotte, R Vigneaux, Bourdet 2. Cons: Townsend 3. Pens: Townsend 4

Newport: Tries: Breeze, Gough. Cons: Howarth. Pens: Howarth 3

Teams

Castres: Mola, Biboulet, Rolleston, Delmotte, Blisson, Townsend, Albouy, Toussaint, R. Vigneaux, Reggiardo, Bourdet, Davidson, Costes, Lassissi, Labrousse

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, M Watkins, A Marinos, B Breeze, S Howarth, D Edwards, R Snow, J Richards, AS Garvey, S Rawailui, I Gough, P Buxton, J Forster, G Teichmann

Referee: Ian Ramage (Scotland)