Top 14 leaders Racing 92 ran in five tries to edge Castres 34-30 on Saturday and will hope the victory will deliver a first win in the Champions Cup next weekend.
Wingers Wame Naituvi and Vinaya Habosi, full-back Henry Arundell, hooker Camille Chat, who returned after two months absence, as well as a penalty try proved enough for Stuart Lancaster’s team.
Castres ran in two tries while fly-half Louis Le Brun kicked 20 points.
However, they still slipped to a third successive loss on a day when All Blacks centre Jack Goodhue made his Top 14 debut.
Racing, who have been linked with a swoop for England skipper Owen Farrell, had two tries ruled out including an effort by South Africa’s two-time World Cup winner Siya Kolisi.
Lancaster’s team now turn their attentions to next weekend when they travel to Bath seeking a first win in this season’s Champions Cup after losing their opening two matches.
La Rochelle followed up their 29-8 win over defending Top 14 champions Toulouse last weekend with a 29-20 victory at Pau for a first away win of the season.
Defending European champions La Rochelle have also lost both their opening games in the continental competition. They host Leicester next Sunday.
Toulouse were Saturday’s biggest winners in the Top 14, pulling off a 45-0 rout of Lyon.
With seven tries, including the first of the season from Antoine Dupont and a double from Thomas Ramos, the reigning French champions put in an impressive performance ahead of their Champions Cup trip to Ulster.
Five-time European champions Toulouse have two wins from two in this year’s competition.
