Twice they reached the final, but on both occasions fell short. Here we look back at those campaigns.

1996-97: Runners-up

Castres made a storming start to their maiden Challenge Cup campaign, blazing their way through Pool 2 with five wins from five, racking up 207 points in the process, before beating RC Toulon 23-15 in the quarter-finals and Agen 22-6 in the semi-finals, both at home.

However, they came a cropper in the final at Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers, where they went down 18-9 in a kick fest to French rivals Bourgoin after being level 6-6 at the break.

Cyril Savy kicked two penalties and Sebastien Paillat one for Castres, but nine points apiece for Alexandre Péclier and Patrice Favre sealed the title for Bourgoin.

1999-2000: Runners-up

It was the same story for Castres on their second appearance in the Challenge Cup final three years later, when they dominated the pool stage, quarter-final and semi-final, only to fall at the last hurdle.

In Pool 2 they won all six of their games before amassing a total of 83 points in the quarter-finals and semi-finals in beating USAP 43-33 and London Irish 40-30 respectively.

The final at Les Sept Deniers in Toulouse was a thriller too, with Section Paloise pipping Castres 34-21 in a five-try feast, Éric Artiguste and Leonie Tzabatze crossing for Castes, for whom Thomas Castaignède kicked three penalties and a conversion.

David Aucagne was Pau’s match-winner with 19 points from the tee, while Nicolas Bacque (2) and Nicolas Brusque scored their tries.

Castres Olympique return to the EPCR Challenge Cup next season after two campaigns in the Heineken Champions Cup and will be hoping to go one step further in the competition than they have been before.