European champions Toulouse ran in six tries in a 44-24 romp over promoted Agen as the new French Top 14 championship got off to an entertaining start on Friday.
Even without influential former All Black scrum-half Byron Kelleher, who is recovering from a broken jaw, Toulouse, desperate to reclaim the national title they last won in 2008, were strong enough to pick up a bonus point.
But Agen, back in the top flight for the first time since 2007, can take consolation from having scored three tries on a ground where they were humbled 47-0 on their last visit.
Hooker William Servat, centre Yann David and winger Maxime Medard, with the first of a brace, all scored first half tries for Toulouse with Romain Edmond-Samuel crossing for the visitors who were playing without suspended Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
Toulouse stretched their lead to 44-10 by the 63rd minute with Clement Poitrenaud and Medard running in two more tries.
Agen battled on and cut the deficit when Argentine centre Miguel Avramovic and winger Brice Dulin scored late on.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
