Rugby Union Round-Up: Bath make the perfect response to saga over Burgess

Bath’s coach, Mike Ford, can look forward to taking on Toulon after a difficult week off the pitch (Getty)

Mike Ford hopes Bath’s comfortable 45-14 Premiership victory at London Irish can put a line under the Sam Burgess era at the Rec as attention now turns to a heavyweight European date with Toulon.

Ollie Devoto, Alafoti Fa’osiliva, Kyle Eastmond and new signings Rhys Priestland and Nikola Matawalu scored to cap a trying time for Bath, who saw cross-code convert Burgess return to rugby league with South Sydney Rabbitohs earlier in the week.

Coach Ford said: “Myself and [captain] Stuart Hooper spoke to [Burgess] on Monday, he said he would address the team and at no point did he mention he wanted to leave. I was hoping that he’d get through that week, but we never got that chance. We’re pleased after everything that’s happened we got some good tries from the backs and can look forward to Toulon now.”

Exeter moved into second place in the Premiership table as Gavin Steenson scored all their points in a 19-6 victory over Leicester at Sandy Park.

After ending the Tigers’ perfect start to the season, Exeter coach Rob Baxter said: “It was hard for us to know where we stood, having played London Irish and Newcastle Falcons. With those sides not doing too well in the league it is hard to judge the quality of those performances – though we were obviously pleased with them. Now we know where we stand, we are very comfortable with this first block [of Premiership matches] and we can really enjoy the next couple of weeks.”

Leicester’s director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, said his side had not deserved to take anything from the match. “Physically we got beaten, so if you can’t get parity in the set piece then you are going to struggle. Exeter played really well, they dominated our physicality stakes, which is disappointing, and they were good for their win.”