English Premiership leaders Bristol showcased their title credentials with a 48-3 demolition of local rivals Bath at Ashton Gate on Friday. Bryan Byrne scored tries and Semi Radradra, Charles Piutau, Luke Morahan and Andy Uren also crossed for rampant Bristol. Fly-half Ioan Lloyd kicked four conversions and a penalty as Bristol made it five successive victories in all competitions. Bath's preparations were hit after they closed their training ground last week when they were told that the squad had 19 positive Covid-19 tests. However, the Premiership's testing company realised a mistake had been made, and the actual figure in Bath's camp was one. Clearly unsettled by the lack of training time, Bath managed only a first half penalty from Rhys Priestland. Alex Sanderson led Sale to a 25-15 win at Leicester in his first game in charge of the Sharks. The 41-year-old ended his 17-year association with Saracens as both a player and coach to replace Steve Diamond as director of rugby during the two-week break in Premiership action. He wasted little time in delivering some early success in his role as his new side produced a performance brimming with quality to move up to second in the table. Sam James, Cobus Wiese and Marland Yarde all scored tries for Sale. It was a chastening evening for Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick after his side established an eight-point lead through Tom Youngs' try, on his 200th club appearance, and Zack Henry's early penalty. smg