Banahan: Crossed over for Bath

Bath scored seven tries to match the 30-point winning margin achieved by the Scarlets six years ago, with new recruit Tonderai Chavhanga replying for the Dragons.

But Bath left Rodney Parade with a big medical problem concerning scrum-half Mark McMillan, who was taken to hospital for examination after a seemingly serious head or neck injury.

Both sides made several changes, with the Dragons including a number of players from Welsh Premiership feeder clubs, and Bath putting seven academy men - three to start and four on the bench - into the squad.

And it was one of those youngsters, Olly Woodburn, who grabbed the first score of the game as he easily waltzed past a lone cover defender on the right wing to score from 15 metres.

Home fly-half Matthew Jones landed a penalty from fully 48 metres to cut Bath's lead, but the revival only lasted moments as centre Matt Banahan, back on club duty after his England World Cup exploits, made an impact with a try through the middle.

It looked as though Bath were in for a comfortable afternoon's work as they seemed able to score at will.

But after Jones booted another monster penalty for the Dragons, the Welshmen took the lead as Chavhanga showed what he could do when running with the ball.

Scrum-half Joe Bedford launched a high ball just inside the Bath half and, after the catch was fumbled, South African Chavhanga seized it and showed his lightning speed

to scorch under the posts from 45 metres.

Jones' conversion put his side one point in front, but that lasted just four minutes before Bath wing Tom Biggs went over from 15 metres.

Four tries in just 19 minutes told the tale of a good match, but that joy turned to deep concern when McMillan was the subject of a lengthy delay.

Medics rushed onto the field as McMillan emerged from a ruck holding his neck. A stretcher and head restraint were brought onto the field before the stricken player was eventually taken off while receiving oxygen.

Bath fly-half Tom Heathcote and Jones swapped penalties before the interval but Bath claimed a bonus point when centre Matt Carraro's converted try put them 27-16 ahead, and that signalled the end for the Dragons.

Lock Will Spencer added a fifth try before Dragons lock Robert Sidoli was binned for a ruck infringement.

Visiting full-back Jack Cuthbert also went over, as did replacement Anthony Perenise, to finish things off.