European Cup record

Castres enter the Heineken Champions Cup for a 16th campaign - hoping to reach the knockout stages for just the second time. The club’s best performance came back in 2001/02, when they exited at the semi-final stage, losing 25-17 to Munster Rugby.

Last season

It was a disappointing campaign for the TOP 14 side in the EPCR Challenge Cup, as they suffered a pair of defeats in the preliminary stage. They opened the competition with a 39-15 reverse at Welsh region Ospreys before suffering a 26-17 home defeat to English club Newcastle Falcons.

Head coach

Former Stade Toulousain defensive coach Pierre-Henry Broncan took over the head coaching role at Castres in December 2020. Broncan recently returned to France after a two-year spell with English club Bath Rugby.

Key players

New Zealander Ben Botica has been at his playmaking best in the Castres backs so far this season and shares the No.10 duties with Argentinian Benjamín Urdapilleta. Prop Wilfrid – who recently won his first international cap with France – has been in try-scoring form and with hooker Gaëtan Barlot and Georgian prop Levan Chilachava, forms part of a formidable front row.

Pool fixtures

Castres begin their Pool B campaign with a home game against Harlequins on December 12 – the final fixture in Round 1 - and then travel to Ireland to take on two-time European Cup winners Muster Rugby on December 18. Round 3 sees the reverse fixture against Munster on January 14 before the French club end their pool programme at Quins on January 21.

Castres Olympique are the next team to be previewed ahead of the 2020/21 Heineken Champions Cup as the TOP 14 outfit return to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2018/19.