Bath's abysmal season plummeted to new depths as they suffered a club record league defeat and had prop John Mallet sent off.

The shambolic West Country outfit, six times English champions, were totally outclassed by title-holders Leicester.

England captain Martin Johnson and his fellow Lion Austin Healey made their first Zurich Premiership starts of the campaign, and Leicester had victory wrapped up at half time, leading 34-9.

Healey, fly-half Andy Goode and flanker Lewis Moody all touched down, before wing Steve Booth's 57th minute try secured a maximum five-point haul.

Bath's fourth successive league loss leaves them bottom of the league, and they now face a daunting Heineken Cup opener against Biarritz in France next Saturday.

Leicester boss Dean Richards substituted both Healey and Johnson well before the end, their jobs done. How beleaguered Bath coach Jon Callard must wish he possessed such luxurious playing resources.

Bath played the final 30 minutes reduced to 14 men after former England prop Mallet was red-carded by referee Brian Campsall.

Mallet and Leicester tighthead Darren Garforth were sin-binned for fighting during the first half and when Mallet was then caught by the touch judge using his boots in a ruck, a second yellow card equalled red.

Leicester did not make full use of their one-man advantage, scoring just 14 points after Mallet departed but a 15,000 crowd still left Welford Road totally satisfied.

The defeat surpassed Bath's previous worst in league rugby - a 50-23 hammering at Saracens four years ago - and Callard is now under huge pressure.

Leicester even had two tries disallowed because of forward passes, yet still gave Bath a late reminder of their overwhelming superiority when full-back Tim Stimpson scored a late try that he also converted.

Stimpson finished with 28 points from a try, four conversions and five penalties, and Bath left the field to derisory Leicester chants of "going down, going down", which completed an horrendous afternoon in the east midlands.

Bath fly-half Olly Barkley kicked two early penalties to cancel out strikes by Stimpson, but Leicester never looked back once Healey collected their opening touch down on 15 minutes.

Bath lost ruck ball from a restart and Healey linked well with flanker Will Johnson before squeezing over in the corner.

Further penalties from Barkley and Stimpson reflected the game's relatively even nature, but the Tigers raced away with two tries in three minutes.

Healey put Bath on the back foot with a testing kick from deep inside his own half, and when Leicester's forward recycled possession quickly, Goode sprinted clear with the visiting defence at sixes and sevens.

Before Bath could recover, Leicester were at it again. Centre Rod Kafer's defence-splitting pass found Moody, and the England international romped 50 metres to the Bath line.

On this form, Moody will seriously challenge his Leicester team-mate Neil Back for an England Six Nations starting place against Ireland in Dublin next month.

The second period was a disappointing affair, Bath having been reduced to damage limitation, which was a factor even more underlined when Mallet was sent off.

Callard made numerous substitutions in an attempt to stem the tide, but more good approach work from Kafer sent speed merchant Booth clear for a try that gave Leicester a bonus point.

Bath hooker Mark Regan and centre Mike Tindall both suffered knocks during the closing stages, and it was Leicester who predictably had the final say through a Stimpson score following sustained pressure.

Leicester have now gone 41 matches unbeaten at home in the league, but poor Bath just do not know where their next victory is coming from.

Teams:

Leicester: Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, W. Johnson, Moody, Short, Healey, Goode, Tuilagi, Kafer, Gelderbloom, Booth, Stimpson.

Replacements: Chuter for Rowntree (74), Nebbett for West (74), Freshwater for Garforth (74), Deacon for M. Johnson (64), Gustard for Kay (74), Ellis for Healey (60), Naylor for Tuilagi (66).

Sin Bin: Garforth (28).

Tries: Healey, Goode, Moody, Booth, Stimpson.

Cons: Stimpson 4.

Pens: Stimpson 5.

Bath: D. Barnes, Regan, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, N. Thomas, Lyle, Williams, Barkley, Danielli, Cox, Tindall, Balshaw, Perry.

Replacements: Long for Regan (63), Gabey for Grewcock (63), Emms for G. Thomas (53), Voyce for Cox (64), Crockett for Tindall (67).

Not Used: Chrystie, Lloyd.

Sin Bin: Mallett (29).

Sent Off: Mallett (51).

Pens: Barkley 3

Att: 15,145

Ref: Brian Campsall (RFU).