Bath: (19) 29
Tries: Claassens, Cuthbert 2, Browne
Con: Berne 3
Pens: Berne

Worcester: (10) 15
Tries: Powell, Delport
Con: Drahm
Pens: Drahm

Jack Cuthbert scored two tries as Bath opened their Premiership campaign with victory over Worcester at the Rec.

Worcester, with new coach Mike Ruddock at the helm, went ahead early on but tries from new boy Michael Claassens and Cuthbert put Bath 12-3 up.

The visitors reduced the deficit through Matt Powell but Cuthbert added his second try just before the break.

Daniel Browne increased Bath's lead and although Thinus Delport crossed for Worcester, it was too little too late.

606: DEBATE Send us your thoughts on Bath v Worcester

Bath's bonus-point haul was the perfect start for a side that have not won their opening Premiership game since 2003.

With six players on World Cup duty and Danny Grewcock suspended, Bath's line-up had a youthful look and all their tries came from players making their debuts.

Worcester, who took the lead with a second-minute Shane Drahm penalty, struggled to generate momentum in attack after spilling a host of missed chances.

"They didn't put a foot wrong and looked more like guys who have played for four or five seasons than those who were playing their first games.

"They are certainly guys with potential. If they keep their heads down and work hard I would think they could represent their country."

"We didn't get our game together and we looked like a side between game plans.

"I was worried we might be a little undercooked. We tried to retain what was good about the Worcester game so our set piece was good but the reality in the modern game is that you've got to do something with the ball.

"We were knocking ball on and missing tackles and we didn't do the basics in the first half while Bath played very well, came out of the blocks and scored some nice tries."

Bath: Nick Abendanon; Jack Cuthbert, Tom Cheeseman, Shaun Berne, Matt Banahan; Ryan Davis, Michael Claassens; David Barnes, Pieter Dixon, Aaron Jarvis, Martin Purdy, Peter Short, Andy Beattie, Chris Goodman, Zak Feaunati (capt)
Replacements: Rob Hawkins, Laurence Ovens, Rob Fidler, Jonny Faamatuainu, Daniel Browne, Nick Walshe, Andy Higgins.

Worcester: Chris Pennell; Thinus Delport, Dale Rasmussen, Gary Trueman, Marcel Garvey; Shane Drahm, Matt Powell; Tony Windo, Chris Fortey, Tevita Taumoepeau, Phil Murphy, Craig Gillies, Tom Wood, Pat Sanderson (capt), Kai Horstmann
Replacements: Darren Morris, Ben Gotting, Will Bowley, Gavin Quinnell, Ryan Powell, James Brown, Mark Tucker.

Referee: M Fox (RFU)