Perpignan bounced back from their disappointing awy defeat to the Newport Gwent Dragons to record an emphatic victory over Italian side I Cavalieri Prato to keep the Amlin Challenge Cup hopes alive.

The French outfit, crossed for eight tries – including two penalty tries – with second row Romain Taofifenua grabbing a brace of his own to ensure they recorded a much-needed bonus point in Pool 4.

Fly-half Gilles Bosch landed seven conversions with the boot for the home side to put them top in a Pool which includes Exeter Chiefs and the Dragons.  

The Catalans, who reached the semi-finals of last season’s Heineken Cup were in rampant mood against their visitors and were never troubled at the intimidating Stade Aime Giral.

Cavalieri Prato did manage two tries of their own through centre Clemens Von Grumbkow and full-back Dion Berryman, but it was never going to be enough against  Perpignan on their home patch.