Irish: We're title also-rans

With the festive freeze denying Sale, Gloucester and Newcastle the chance to improve their Premiership status, Irish were granted a free run at the Christmas No.2 slot.

For an hour they looked likely to be caught cold, a mixture of cheek and opportunism earning Saracens two tries and a 20-6 lead before the hosts turned the tide in startling fashion with 24 unanswered points.

Despite his side's surprise emergence as Premiership contenders, Venter believes the Tigers benefit from a crucial ingredient all of their own.

He said: 'They have one thing that is extra special - Austin Healey. I know people in this country like to knock him but he is one unbelievable rugby player with great passing and vision. Leicester were losing yesterday and he just took the game by the scruff of the neck.

'Thankfully, there is only one Leicester. Then you have the other 11 of us. Leicester have some serious game-breakers in Healey and Geordan Murphy. You can't coach that. You can buy it but who is going to spend big money on wings?'

While casting an envious eye on the resources available at Welford Road, Venter offered high praise for his own scrum half Darren Edwards, yesterday's Man-of-the-Match and a key element in Irish's comeback.

Venter said: 'If you offered me a straight swap - Joost van der Westhuizen for Darren Edwards - there is no contest. That is not to put down Joost but he would not function in our team and Darren is just what we want.' After an untidy opening on the frosty surface, Saracens fly half Jannie de Beer answered an early penalty by opposite number Barry Everitt with two of his own to put the visitors ahead 6-3.

The South African's quick thinking then led to a controversial try. As Irish seemingly prepared for a penalty kick, de Beer took a quick tap and stormed down the line before passing inside for David Flatman to touch down. Amid howls of protest from the home supporters, de Beer made the conversion to take his side into the break 13-3 ahead.

Irish reduced the deficit with an Everitt penalty, only for an act of charity to undermine their efforts. Substitute Richard Kirke dropped a pass on the Saracens 22 and watched in horror as Darragh O'Mahony scooped the ball up and ran 75 yards to the line.

De Beer struck another fine conversion to give his side a 14- point cushion but the incident seemed to fire up Irish and they halved the deficit within five minutes.

After Everitt's swerving break had taken play deep inside his opponents' 22, a series of penalties edged Irish closer until Saracens collapsed a maul and conceded a penalty try.

On a roll and gradually finding gaps easier to come by, Venter's side tore back into the fray and Jeff Fahrensohn's diagonal run took him through a stretched defence and in at the posts.

Irish conjured the decisive score four minutes from time. A fine passing move left Saracens exposed and when Declan Dana-her released the ball out of a tackle to Paul Sackey outside him, the wing surged clear to the line.

Everitt capped a fine display with the conversion and a late penalty and Saracens only consolation came in the form of an injury-time penalty by de Beer that earned them a bonus point.