Castres battled to a 35-26 win over Oyonnax, the former club of their new coach Christophe Urios, in French Top 14 rugby action on Friday.

It was a second win in four matches for Castres, and moves them provisionally fourth, ahead of the remaining Top 14 games this weekend.

Urios joined Castres from Oyonnax this season with the aim of reviving the fortunes of the 2013 champions who were nearly relegated last season.

But the hosts got off to a shaky start with Fijian Uwa Tawalo touching down for an opening try after just one minute.

"We were 5-0 down after the first minute which took us a bit by surprise," admitted Urios.

"But the team didn't lose control, didn't panic. It wasn't easy but we still managed to take it. It's a nice victory, a battle of nerves to the end."

Castres quickly regrouped with scrum-half Julien Seron and Remy Grosso getting tries.

But with New Zealand scrum-half Piri Weepu directing operations Oyonnax created turmoil in the Castres camp with Tawalo touching down his second try on the half-hour mark.

The hosts held on to lead 14-10 at the break with the second-half a duel between the kickers -- Geoffrey Palis getting three and Nicky Robinson two and a drop goal.

Young Castres scrum-half Antoine Dupont, 19, showed maturity with a try on 70 minutes and a penalty five minutes later.

Oyonnax saved pride with a last-gasp Jeremie Maurouard try but failed to snatch a win as they sit tenth after their third defeat in four games.
Source: AFP