Coach Johann van Graan’s Bath inflicted a record defeat on Saracens in the English Premiership on Saturday.
The six-time champions endured their worst ever loss in England’s top tier as leaders Bath ran riot at the Recreation Ground to win 68-10.
Saracens conceded 10 tries as they collapsed following the sending-off of flanker Toby Knight after just 14 minutes, while Nick Isiekwe and Theo McFarland suffered game-ending injuries.
Bath earned an early penalty try before Bok prop Thomas du Toit, Cameron Redpath and Will Muir touched down, while Finn Russell kicked three conversions.
Joe Cokanasiga scored two tries after the interval, with Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill also touching down as Muir completed his hat-trick, while Russell booted five more conversions.
Kapeli Pifeleti’s late try and a Fergus Burke penalty and conversion were no consolation for overwhelmed Saracens.
Bath are five points clear at the top of the Premiership ahead of a trip to reigning champions Northampton on 5 January.
Northampton will be in fine fettle for that clash after Trevor Davison scored two tries against his former club in a 61-0 rout of Newcastle.
The Saints had lost their last three league games, leaving them well adrift of the pace-setters.
Davison inspired the response Northampton were looking for, with the champions running in nine tries at Franklin’s Gardens.
Meanwhile, Dan Cole’s last-gap try salvaged a dramatic 34-34 draw for Leicester against Harlequins in front of a sell-out crowd at Twickenham.
Harlequins were on course for victory when Cadan Murley ran in the second of his two tries in the 69th minute.
But Leicester used their pack to pound away as Cole crept over with a minute left before Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard booted the crucial conversion in off the post.
© Agence France-Presse
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