Champions Toulon began their European Cup rugby defence in scintillating style on Sunday with Australian centre Matt Giteau and captain Jonny Wilkinson starring in a free-running 51-28 victory over Glasgow.

The star-studded Toulon side, bankrolled by comic book magnate Mourad Boudjellal, dominated the first half, scoring four converted tries for a 34-0 lead over the Scots.

But Glasgow responded with four tries of their own in the second period to claim a bonus point.

“We worked hard, built pressure and were able to get easy tries,” Giteau said of the first 40 minutes before adding: “Glasgow started playing a lot more.”

Their Cup victory last season had left Toulon craving more success, Giteau added.

“We’ve got a taste for it now. It’s something we talked about today, to get back out there and perform as a team year-in, year-out.”

Wilkinson kicked a seventh-minute penalty and the Englishman then caught an up-and-under and quickly setting the backline free, full-back Delon Armitage crossing in the corner.

It was one-way traffic as Maxime Mermoz was next to score, the France centre merely having to fall over the line after a Josua Tuisova pass following great hands from Giteau and Joe van Niekerk.

Wilkinson converted both tries from the touchline and then another as Chris Masoe went over to make it 24-0 after 25 minutes.

Mermoz crossed for his second as Frederic Michalak, on as a replacement for Wilkinson, played the centre in through weak midfield defence, Giteau converting and Michalak kicking a penalty on the stroke of halftime for 34-0.

In the second half, Giteau ghosted through for a five-pointer but Glasgow responded with three tries through Matawalu, lock Jonny Grey and a second from Van der Merwe to make it 41-28.

Michalak kicked a penalty and Giteau crossed for his second to wrap things up.

In Paris, last season’s beaten finalists Clermont suffered a surprise 13-9 defeat to Top 14 rivals Racing-Metro.

Three Morgan Parra penalties to one from Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton gave Clermont a 9-3 halftime lead.

The hosts fired back with a breakaway Marc Andreu try after a turnover following a scorching break by former All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Sexton converted and hit a 54th-minute penalty to stretch the lead, Parra missing a straightforward effort in reply.

Earlier, Exeter racked up a 44-29 victory over Cardiff.