Horacio's hat-trick silences doubters

Eyebrows were raised when Bath Rugby announced Horacio Agulla' signing earlier this year but the doubters were firmly put in their place by the Argentine's weekend try treble at Calvisano.

With the winger away on international duty for the majority of the opening three months of the season, questions were raised following his summer switch from Leicester Tigers.

Those have been cast aside, however, after an Agulla- inspired Bath took control of Pool 4 of the Amlin Cup with a second straight victory over the Italian outfit.

The 28-year-old followed up his two-try haul at The Rec a week earlier with a hat-trick in the return leg as Bath made it four bonus-point wins from four in the competition.

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Head coach Gary Gold was never among those to query the worthiness of Agulla's capture and was quick to praise his summer recruit.

"He's a brilliant footballer and finished some magnificent tries for us last weekend," said Gold. "We're really excited to have him.

"When we signed him we thought he was just a quality individual. Sometimes a player comes along and you can't understand why he has become available.

"I knew he was going to be away with Argentina but we had a discussion, sorted out our situation and planned accordingly.

"He's fitted in like a hand in a glove and it's worked out brilliantly. I hope he can continue that form in the Premiership."

After falling victim to Bath's record home win in Europe seven days earlier, the writing was on the wall for Calvisano as early as the second minute when hooker Brett Sharman got the ball rolling with a close-range try.

A quickfire double from Agulla then followed before Tom Biggs' try and a second Stephen Donald conversion brought the first half to a close.

Touchdowns from Jack Cuthbert and Josh Ovens continued the visitors' momentum after the break, while it took until two minutes from the close for Calvisano to have some cheer for the day when Luigi Ferraro crossed the whitewash.

There was still time for Agulla to complete his treble, however, with the win moving Bath eight points clear at the top of the group.

"We're really satisfied and happy with the way it's gone so far," said Gold. "We've played our three away games, come away with maximum points and put in some really good performances.

"We are aware that we haven't really achieved anything yet, so we are keeping our feet on the ground.

"We aren't getting ahead of ourselves but it's a good start and hopefully we can kick on from here."