JEREMY GUSCOTT has responded to the challenge of having two rugby league superstars alongside him by playing some of "the best rugby of his life.
He highlighted a stunning autumn campaign on Saturday, with a try double as England's champions Bath reached a half century on their European Cup debut, running out 55-26 winners.
But they went off the boil against Edinburgh when on course for a European record after amassing 38 points in the first half.
It was left to French club Pau to threaten Treviso's 86 point European record set in the inaugural season last year. In the end, they fell short by a single point.
Admiring Bath coach Brian Ashton said: "Jerry was outstanding, phenomenal in both attack and defence."
Bath tried the ostentatious way to score after the interval, but too much did not work.
Bath believe that they have the capacity to win the treble of two domestic trophies and this European event. Their rugby league recruits continue to make a crowd pleasing impact, though Henry Paul went off with another injury - this time a possible sprung shoulder joint.
But Jason Robinson finished the match with a try and Jonathan Callard kicked all of his nine goals in a perfect display on a day of amazingly accurate kicking.
All 14 kicks went over at Pontypridd - one of two home wins in Wales, where the tide of defeats in cross-border events continues to flow against Welsh club rugby.
Neil Jenkins landed eight goals and Francesco Mizzariol kicked six for Treviso. Jenkins said: "It was a very frustrating match. We failed to entertain and we will find it tougher when we play Bath in our pool."
Sebastien Carrat destroyed Neath with four tries for French team Brive, while Pau piled up 13 tries against a disappointing Scottish borders team as they won 85-28, Benjamin Lhande also claiming a four timer.
In the second rank European conference, the Welsh clubs continued to disappoint, with Newbridge, Bridgend, Treorchy, Ebbw Vale and Dunvant all losing.
In this tournament only Swansea had any encouragement for Wales by scoring 63 against London Irish.
England's other participants in the European Cup, Leicester and Harlequins were not involved in the big kick off, but start in midweek.
In the Courage League, division two, Newcastle retained their lead with a 47-17 win at Wakefield, while Richmond put, London Scottish firmly in their place with a 54-13 win to stay just one point behind the leaders.
