Castres full back Romain Teulet helped himself to 21 points as he put his side in control at the top of Pool 1 with a thrilling home win over French rivals Perpignan.

Although the home side led for much of the game, Perpignan provided stubborn opposition and hit back to lead 28-26 with 16 minutes to go.

In the end they were desperately unlucky not to pick up a losing bonus point after scoring three tries on the road.

Victory for Castres leaves them clear at the top of the table after two successive home wins and in sight of their first knock-out qualification since 2002.

Teulet was on target with five penalties and three conversions as he kept his side’s nose in front. By half-time Castres were seven points clear at 20-13 and by the end they had raised that to eight points.

Perpignan battled back to level terms 10 minutes into the second half when Ovidu Tonita bulldozed his way over for a try and at 23-23 the game was hanging in the balance. Teulet kicked his fourth penalty to edge Castres ahead once more, but a try by replacement Julian Laharrague after 64 minutes put the visitors 25-23 up.

That score came when Perpignan were reduced to 14 men through the sin-binning of David Marty, but Teulet’s fifth penalty inched Castres back into the lead before the result was made safe by an 83rd minute try from right wing Lafoaoa Milford – his secon of the match – which Teulet converted.