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Bastareaud's red for lashing out overshadows Toulon's win over Castres
By Jack Davies
Toulon overcame a red card shown to Mathieu Bastareaud to edge Castres 28-27 for their first Top 14 win of the season.
The three-time European champions sat bottom of the pile following defeats to Pau and Racing 92 in their opening two matches, with Castres boasting a pair of wins coming into this fixture.
And it looked like being another disappointing outing for the hosts when, at 27-20 down, Toulon captain Bastareaud was dismissed.
The France centre could have few complaints after his reckless forearm made contact with the head of a prone Castres player.
But Louis Carbonel reduced the deficit with a penalty five minutes from time before Filipo Nikosi touched down to salvage the win for a Toulon side who have looked a long way from their former glory in the early part of the season.
The result lifts Toulon to 11th, while Castres sit fifth after three matches.
In the day's early kick-off, Pau won 24-21 to leave struggling Grenoble without a victory so far this season.
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Latest Comments
You are right. My comment was not meant to be a complaint. It's more of a warning to other teams that once this Bok team gets everything together, they will be close to unstoppable.
Go to commentsDifference is SA lost by a solitary point in both losses, and in the case of Argentina, away after making 11 changes to the team.
AB losses were by larger margins and lost at home, playing arguably their best sides.
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