Centre Marc Biboulet claimed two tries

Their chief tormentor was French international fullback Ugo Mola, whose attacking flaie and skill in joining the line was rewarded with two tries.

Castres' other hero was centre Marc Biboulet, who played a more direct but no less effective game than his No 15 and also claimed two tries.

Georgian prop Levan Tsabadze completed Bridgend's misery with Castres' fifth try.

There were some familiar faces among the French side as Scottish internationals Shaun Longstaff and Gregor Townsend lined up against them.

Townsend in particular caused problems for the Welsh defenders with his distribution from fly-half, while his partner at half-back, Romain Teulet, added two penalties and two conversions.

Castres: Tries: Biboulet 2, Mola 2, Tsabadze. Cons: Teulet 2. Pens: Teulet 2.

Bridgend: Tries: Molitika, Stephens. Cons: Durston 2. Pens: Durston 3.

Castres: U Mola; F Pilsson, G Delmotte, M Biboulet, S Longstaff; G Townsend, R Teulet; L Toussaint, R Ibanez, B Moyle, F Lalauque, N Spanghero, F Costes, R Froment, I Lassissi.

Bridgend (from): A Durston, G Thomas, G Jones, J Funnell, D James, J Devereux, D Jones, C Rees, H Harries, J Hewlett, A Griffiths, C Loader, G Williams, C Noon, C Ferris, K Stewart, N Budgett, P Clapham, C Stephens, M Molitika, J Ringer, R Bryan.

Referee: John Steele (Scotland).