Matt's the way

Prop Matt Stevens was the star of the show, scoring three of his side's 11 tries 10 of which were converted by Olly Barkley, who scored one of his own for a haul of 25 points.

Zurich Premiership leaders Bath led 56-3 at half-time, and needed only one of the four replacements they named on the bench.

Flanker James Scaysbrook and Scotland winger Simon Danielli both picked up two tries as Bath notched up the highest score of the day by an English side.

Full-back Matt Perry also crossed, as did centre Kevin Maggs and young lock James Hudson.

Jonny Wilkinson will hardly need to break sweat when he makes his Newcastle return in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup next Sunday.

But the England World Cup winner's mere presence should still guarantee a bumper crowd at Kingston Park, despite Newcastle holding a mammoth 61-point advantage from their first round, first leg encounter with Spanish outfit Valladolid.

The Falcons romped to victory in Spain, scoring 11 tries with Tom May (three), Michael Stephenson (two), Epi Taione (two), Wilkinson's brother Mark (two) sharing nine of those touchdowns and Dave Walder kicking 16 points.

World Cup hero Richard Hill played a key role as Saracens completed a hat-trick of English away-day success with their 45-13 triumph against Roma.

The England flanker scored two tries, and Roma must be dreading next week's return at Vicarage Road, especially as Saracens coach Rod Kafer rested international stars Kyran Bracken and Taine Randell for the first leg.

French World Cup hooker Raphael Ibanez made his Saracens debut after going on as a second-half substitute for Robbie Russell.

Yesterday, London Irish fly-half Mark Mapletoft kicked 16 points but could not prevent his side falling 30-26 at Montauban.

Mapletoft converted a try in each half from winger Justin Bishop and back-rower Kieron Dawson, but the visitors' defence let them down at crucial times to give the French club a four-point advantage going into the second leg.