Exiles are humbled by Sarries

The Premiership leaders London Irish finished off the year on a low note as they were beaten at Saracens. Glen Jackson gave the Saracens an early lead with a penalty, before the Exiles hit back through Declan Danaher's converted try. Peter Hewat extended their lead with a penalty, before Jackson cut the deficit with a second penalty. Moses Raulini went over for Saracens' only try eight minutes before the interval, with Jackson adding the conversion to give them a 13-10 lead at the interval.

Hewat levelled the scores with a penalty after the break, but another successful kick by Jackson put Saracens back in front on the hour mark with what turned out to be the winning points. Meanwhile, in Friday's action, the Sale captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe scored two tries as his side proved too powerful for London Wasps at Edgeley Park as they cruised to a 31-3 victory. The Argentine back-rower crossed twice as the Sharks chalked up four tries with England duo Mark Cueto and Charlie Hodgson also touching down as Wasps could only muster a solitary Dave Walder penalty.

The Sharks were in predatory form, twice pouncing on Wasps errors to erase memories of their last-gasp defeat to Bath last weekend and get their title hopes firmly back on track. The Sale director of rugby Phillippe Saint-Andre said: "We tried to play rugby in front of a good crowd and scored four tries. I don't think a lot of teams in the Premiership can do this with the flair that we can." * With Agencies