Banahan hat-trick outshines Burgess' full debut

mattbanahan

Burgess' full Bath debut has been eagerly anticipated since he announced he was to switch codes to the 15-man format in February.

However, a fractured cheekbone - sustained when helping South Sydney Rabbitohs win the NRL Grand Final in October - had restricted him to just two substitute appearances before starting in Friday's European Champions Cup fixture at the Recreation Ground.

It was Banahan who stole the limelight, though, and he started his treble after just 90 seconds before a George Ford penalty made it 10-0 inside six minutes.

Banahan struck again in the 13th minute after good work from Semesa Rokoduguni and Anthony Watson resulted in the winger touching down, Ford's reliable boot making it 17-0 at the break.

The match was taken away from the visitors six minutes after the break when Chris Cook escaped from a maul and passed to Banahan who completed a simple try for his hat-trick.

Montpellier's night worsened when Benoit Paillaugue was sent to the sin-bin for tipping Cook in the tackle, but the Top 14 side reduced the deficit from an Alex Tulou score in the 61st minute.

Mickael Ivaldi added further gloss in the 73rd minute, but Bath earned a bonus point with their fourth try in the closing stages when Horacio Agulla burst through a gap in midfield.

Bath move up to a second in Pool Four as a result of the win, although Toulouse and Glasgow - who both beat Bath earlier in the competition - have a game in hand and meet on Saturday.

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