Vainikolo: Opened scoring for Gloucester

The Cherry and Whites led 20-17 at the break with the help of a Lesley Vainikolo try and a wonderful solo effort from Jonny May.

Further tries followed from skipper Luke Narraway, Scott Lawson, Rory Lawson, Charlie Sharples and Freddie Burns, who also kicked 21 points, as the hosts gained revenge for last weekend's Premiership defeat against the same opposition.

Sale, who had three players sin-binned, had been level at 27-27 after 55 minutes having registered tries through debutant Richie Vernon, Andrew Higgins and Rob Miller, while Nick Macleod contributed 12 points.

But they fell away badly in the final quarter to end up on the wrong end of a heavy scoreline.

Harlequins maintained their unbeaten start to the season as Ollie Lindsay-Hague's late try gave them a 26-19 win over London Irish.

An exciting Pool 3 tie was finally settled in the 84th minute when Quins, who had trailed by three heading into the final three minutes of regulation time, claimed a dramatic victory.

Benjamin Urdapilleta also crossed for Quins, with Rory Clegg converting both and adding four penalties.

The Exiles replied with a try from David Sisi, converted by Tom Homer who also landed four penalties.

Bath inflicted a record-equalling home defeat on Newport Gwent Dragons as they eased to a 46-16 victory at Rodney Parade.

Worcester also got off to a winning start with a 20-19 victory over Wasps at Sixways - but only after a careless performance which almost allowed the visitors to snatch an unlikely win.

The home pack were the dominant force and the Warriors should have won more comfortably.

Exeter Chiefs scored four tries as they convincingly won their first ever match with the Ospreys 35-9 to get off to a fine start.

Josh Tatupu, Phil Dollman, John Andress crossed for the hosts who were also awarded a penalty try.

Gareth Steenson converted three and also kicked three penalties.

Russian winger Vasily Artemyev scored a hat-trick on his debut and Jamie Elliott bagged two tries as Northampton beat Saracens 36-6 at Franklin's Gardens.

Greg Goosen played a starring role as last season's beaten finalists Newcastle opened their campaign with a 33-3 victory over Cardiff.

Falcons full-back Goosen grabbed a hat-trick of tries and the Falcons had the try bonus point wrapped up early in the second half against a young Blues side missing several of their World Cup stars.

Kieran Murphy scored two of the five Scarlets tries as the Welsh side opened their campaign with a 31-3 bonus-point win over Leicester at Parc y Scarlets.

There were also tries for flanker Matt Gilbert, wing Liam Williams and replacement fly-half Jordan Williams, while Leicester could only manage a lone penalty from George Ford.