Gloucester outclass Bath

Wing James Simpson-Daniel's try double, and an assured display by Wales international fly-half Nicky Robinson on his Premiership debut punished a tepid Bath performance. Robinson impressively eased his way into the season, scoring 14 points that included a late interception try when he gathered Bath centre Tom Cheeseman's speculative pass.

Former Bradford Bulls rugby league centre Shontayne Hape claimed a consolation touchdown for the visitors, but their cause was not helped by some hapless goalkicking. Ryan Davis missed three penalties, and when he was eventually replaced as chief marksman, wing Matt Carraro drifted a conversion attempt well wide.

Worcester wasted a golden opportunity to get their season off to a splendid start as they blew a 17-0 lead to lose 20-17 to Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

Converted tries from Miles Benjamin and and Kai Horstmann accompanied by a penalty from Willie Walker, who kicked seven points, put Warriors firmly in the driving seat.

But a try from Phil Dowson converted by Stephen Myler and two Shane Geraghty penalties set the stage for Paul Diggin to cross for the winning score two minutes from time which Geraghty converted.

Jimmy Gopperth missed four penalty attempts on his Newcastle debut as Leeds Carnegie claimed a 9-9 draw on their return to the Guinness Premiership.

The highly-rated New Zealander, has been tasked with filling Jonny Wilkinson's kicking role following the England fly-half's move to Toulon. Yet Gopperth failed to match Wilkinson's accuracy with the boot as he converted only three of seven penalty kicks in a bitterly disappointing encounter which saw precious little freeflowing rugby.

All of Leeds' points came from the boot of fly-half Ceiron Thomas, who landed three penalties of his own but still managed to miss two, and despite a late rally the Yorkshire side could not conjure a precious victory.