Aviva Premiership: Ansbro injury means an anxious wait for Robinson

Scotland centre Joe Ansbro suffered an injury scare during Northampton's 38-8 Aviva Premiership demolition at Bath yesterday, the Saints player going down following a collision with Bath fly-half Butch James that led to a lengthy stoppage before he was helped off.

National coach Andy Robinson will have an anxious wait to see if the centre is fit for next weekend's Murrayfield clash with Ireland, the centre having been a success story since his arrival in the Scotland team.

There was better news for Martin Johnston ahead of England's Twickenham clash with France, though, with former captain Lewis Moody returning from injury after missing the opening Six Nations victories over Wales and Italy due to a knee ligament problem.

England wing Matt Banahan was the architect of Bath's bonus-point triumph, scoring three tries and brilliantly creating another for Australian centre Matt Carraro, while Olly Barkley added five conversions and a penalty, including the extras for Sam Vesty's late touchdown.

Saints could only manage a Greig Tonks try and Stephen Myler penalty in reply as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season. It is now almost three months since Northampton won a Premiership game.

Bath though, are moving through the gears, climbing three places into sixth and standing just two points adrift of the play-off zone as they prepare for back-to-back west country derbies against Exeter and Gloucester.

Leicester went ten points clear at the top of the table as a 16-point haul from Jeremy Staunton saw them beat old rivals Wasps 21-12 in a scrappy but intensely physical contest at Welford Road.

Tries from Staunton, who also kicked three penalties and converted his score, and lock Steve Mafi were enough to give the hosts the win, Dave Walder responding with four penalties for a Wasps side playing their first game since the departure of rugby director Tony Hanks.

Harlequins made it ten wins from their last 11 competitive matches with a comfortable 21-9 win over a limited Sale side in an uninspiring game at the Stoop.

Tries from hooker Joe Gray - the pick of the forwards in a dominant pack - and full-back Mike Brown, with a conversion and four penalties from Rory Clegg, saw off Sale, whose only response was three penalties from Charlie Hodgson.