Montpellier, who will now be top-ranked TOP 14 team in Tuesday’s Heineken Champions Cup pool draw, scored three tries in the opening 12 minutes.

Having fallen to eventual winners Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup last eight, Montpellier’s attention turned to domestic rugby, and they marched to the TOP 14 showpiece game by beating Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the semi-finals last weekend.

Their final got off to the perfect start as Arthur Vincent, Florian Verhaeghe and Anthony Bouthier all dotted down in an early blitz.

Castres, who failed to qualify from Pool B in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup but will get another shot next campaign thanks to their domestic performance, would get on the board through a Julien Dumora penalty on 33 minutes.

But two three-pointers from Benoît Paillaugue either side of that effort left Montpellier in a comfortable position at the break, and Paolo Garbisi extended their advantage from the tee with just over 10 minutes to play.

Vilimoni Botitu then went over for a consolation try for Castres before Leicester Tigers-bound Handré Pollard rounded off Montpellier’s triumphant day with another penalty moments later.

Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finalists Montpellier Hérault Rugby claimed their first TOP 14 title on Friday night as they beat Castres Olympique 29-10 at the Stade de France.