Bath benefit from early exit

Andy Robinson is convinced that his club's premature exit from the European and Pilkington Cups had hidden benefits. It meant they did not have the sort of end-of-season schedule that robbed Leicester of a possible title.

"I think it's wrong that sides have to play Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday for up to seven games, as Sale have done in the last 24 days," the Bath coach said. "There is no way I would have allowed us to do what Leicester had to and play five matches in 14 days. You are risking serious injury."

And he warned: "Looking at the league structure next year it seems you are going to get the same mess for the successful teams. I think the programme needs to be looked at again."

Robinson's argument was borne out by the fact that Sale, who beat Bath on their home ground earlier this month, fielded a second XV for the visit to the Recreation Ground, because their first team were exhausted.

Jim Mallinder, the Sale fullback and one of those who witnessed some superlative rugby by Bath from the stands, added: "In future we should rearrange postponed matches to be played at the earliest opportunity, rather than rescheduling them towards the end of the season."

The defeat still leaves Sale with a chance of snatching the fourth place in the European Cup next season. All they have to do is beat Leicester at home in their final league match of the season. They will send a near- full strength side out for that one.

A place in Europe - which the 12-try (all of them converted) rampage guaranteed Bath - would represent an early return for Sale's new backer. According to Mallinder, the setting up of what is rumoured to be a pounds 2.5m deal has persuaded the teacher to turn professional when he returns from England's summer tour of Argentina.

Before then he and the rest of the Sale squad must suffer the backlash of Saturday's drubbing. John Mitchell, the player-coach, called the performance "totally gutless". He added: "I take defeat personally. I hate losing, especially by that kind of margin. It's hard to swallow."

To make matters worse for Sale the prognosis on a knee injury to their lock John Fowler is as bleak as midwinter. Mitchell said: "It's possible he could miss next season, or we may not see John Fowler again."

Sale will begin some serious recruiting once they have their new backer's cash in the bank and there were hints that Mitchell will look to his native New Zealand for a replacement second row forward.

Bath: Tries Sleightholme, Webster, Catt 2, Mendez 2, Lyle, Llanes, Adebayo, Guscott 2, Perry; Conversions Catt 8, Callard 4. Sale: Try Hewson; Conversion Griffin.

Bath: J Callard (capt); J Sleightholme (M Horne, 40), M Perry, J Guscott, A Adebayo; M Catt, C Harrison; K Yates (D Hilton, 73), F Mendez, J Mallett, M Haag, G Llanes, N Thomas (E Peters, 61), D Lyle, R Webster (A Long, 77).

Sale: A Griffin (J Aby, 54); M Moore, C Yates, D Wright, S Verbickas; N Ryan, J O'Reilly (M Warr, 59); A Yates, L Hewson, M Driver (J Batt, 73), R McCartney, S Fletcher, N Ashurst, M Karaittian (P Sanderson, 54), A Morris (capt; M Dobson, 73).

Referee: C White (Cheltenham).