Top 14: Montpellier hit 14-man Castres for six to move top

Johnnie Beattie was sent off after just ten minutes as 14-man Castres were thrashed 43-10 at Montpellier who go top of the Top 14.

The 2013 champions were already 8-0 down when the Scottish international was given his marching orders for a tackle with the shoulder on Timoci Nagusa that left the Fijian winger out cold.

While the former Montpellier No 8 probably didn't intend to injury his old team-mate, it was a clumsy effort, with no attempt to wrap the arms, and referee Mathieu Raynal decided it was worthy of a red card.

The home side proceeded to run in four first-half tries to lead 29-3 at the break, although they slacked off in the second half.

Montpellier made a flying start with an early penalty followed up by a try for young back row Kelian Galletier.

He had collected the ball from Francois Trinh-Duc, who switched the ball after an initial break on the right, and the flanker powered his way through a couple of tackles to stretch over.

Beattie was then shown a red card for his tackle on Nagusa with Montpellier threatening again.

Fabien Galthie's men took full advantage, with Ben Mowen grabbing his first try for his new club from a five-metre scrum, taking advantage of Beattie's absence to crash over. Trinh-Duc converted to make it 15-0 after just 12 minutes.

No answer

Castres had no answer, and soon conceded another try, this time Sitaleki Timani was on hand, as he had been for much of the half, to score.

And even when Castres were attacking, they were still vulnerable, with Jonathan Pélissié showing his pace to race over after Trinh-Duc had turned the ball over.

It got even worse when Marcel Garvey was sin-binned on the stroke of half-time for taking out Pierre Berard in the air, a clumsy challenge which might have even earned a more severe punishment in a more competitive game.

The visitors, who have won just once this season, needed to show something in the second half, and they coped admirably with a two-man deficit, even scoring through Julien Dumora.

The full-back finished off a period of possession deep in Montpellier territory, and with the home defence stretched, Castres spread the ball wide for Dumora to stroll over untouched.

The game had lost some of its intensity, and the only remaining question was whether Montpellier might let their bonus point slip away.

However a penalty try after Castres collapsed a rolling maul which was heading inexorably for the line.

And the home side finished the game in style with replacement Robert Ebersohn showing his pace to cut inside and score a sixth try for the home side. Trinh-Duc converted to take his personal tally to 13 points.