Ulster have started their Heineken Cup campaign with a 41-17 victory over Castres at Ravenhill.

Tries from Andrew Trimble and Paul Marshall put the hosts in a commanding position midway through the first half before Marc Andreu touched down for the visitors.

Patrick Jackson won the battle of the kickers in the opening 40 minutes as he notched up 13 points to Romain Teulet's five to give Ulster a 23-10 lead at half-time.

Marshall powered over for his second try of the game on 42 minutes before Jackson scored another penalty to make it 31-10.

However, Marcel Garvey's score, converted by Teulet, cut the deficit back to 14 points for the French side.

That wasn't to last, though, as Ruan Pienaar's bonus-point try and two more Jackson kicks helped last year's runners-up record a conclusive victory.