11th August 2005
Issued on behalf of Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks beat Castres 26-23 at the Stade Pierre Antoine on the evening of  Wednesday 10 August in front of a crowd of 2,000, in a game that was played in 4 x 20 minute sections.

Castres took an early lead with a penalty but Larrachea levelled the scores shortly afterwards. Steve Hanley scored an excellent try, which Larrachea converted.

Both sides swapped penalties with Larrachea continuing to kick well landing a penalty and then a conversion from a Peter Anglesea try.

Substitutions were made frequently throughout the game by Sale Sharks, as Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre tried out several permutations and options.

Castres came back into the game and scored two converted tries and a penalty but the Sharks finished the game attacking the Castres line.