Luke McAlister's new club, Sale Sharks, put on an impressive display for its high-profile signing with an emphatic 53-14 victory over Petrarca.

McAlister, who arrived in England during the week, did not take the field for the Sharks but is expected to make his debut against Worcester on Friday.

England winger Mark Cueto grabbed a brace for the Sharks in the lop-sided lopsided encounter at the Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium while Scottish international Rory Lamont also helped himself to a couple.

Worcester, which has also signed a handful of New Zealand players in the off-season, brushed aside French club Montauban 41-18 at Sixways.

The Warriors scored five tries and Australian-born first five Shane Drahm collected a personal tally of 21 points in the European Challenge Cup match.

The Warriors were without new signing Greg Rawlinson, after it was discovered the All Black lock was not registered in time to play in the European Challenge Cup match.

Rawlinson, who has three test caps for New Zealand, arrived at Sixways during the week but still too late to cut through the red tape and take his place on the bench.

Springbok World Cup-winner Butch James made his debut for Bath and laid on a try for England’s Olly Barkley.