European Challenge Cup: Gloucester 35-5 Castres - Cherry and Whites secure big win

Adam Hastings helped Gloucester to a comfortable win

Gloucester secured a home tie in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup with victory over Castres at Kingsholm.

Tries from centre Seb Atkinson, lock Freddie Clarke, fly-half Adam Hastings and flanker Albert Tuisue helped earn a fourth victory to win pool three.

Castres began the night second in the pool but could only score through replacement winger Josaia Raisuqe shortly before half-time.

The French side could fail to qualify if other results go against them.

When Fijian Raisuqe powered over in the corner for the visitors two minutes before the break, it reduced Gloucester's lead to 10-5, but the Cherry and Whites ran away with the game in the second half.

Clarke chased a chip over the defence and kicked ahead to gather and score, before Castres full-back Geoffrey Palis spilled a high ball and allowed Hastings to collect and run in.

Gloucester's night was completed when Tuisue, missing since early November with a calf injury, came off the bench to score from a rolling maul.

The damage to Castres' points difference will prove crucial if Black Lion can beat Clermont Auvergne with a bonus point.

Gloucester head coach George Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"It was a tense first half but we were confident that the plans we had were going to come through.

"I'm very happy with the way the lads stuck to the plan, because it got a bit loose at times.

"A home tie in the next round is massive for the club and we've worked hard in the last six weeks to get our season back on track."

Gloucester: Carreras; May, Harris, Atkinson, Thorley; Hastings, Englefield; Ford-Robinson, McGuigan, Balmain, Clarke, Alemanno, Ackermann, Clement, Mercer.

Replacements: Erlington, Knight, Tuisue, Ludlow, Varney, Llewellyn, Hathaway.