Saracens ended the year on a high after upsetting Guinness Premiership pacesetters London Irish 16-13 at a packed Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The hosts deserved the win, which knocked Irish off top spot and ended their ten-match winning streak, in a scrappy encounter as late replacement Moses Rauluni justified his selection with the all-important first-half try.

Eddie Jones was forced into a last-minute change with Neil de Kock dropping out due to illness for Rauluni. Sarries’ director of rugby also brought in Nick Lloyd, Andy Saull and Adam Powell in place of Matias Aguero, Ben Skirving and Andy Farrell.

The Men in Black had the first opportunity after three minutes but Glen Jackson sent his penalty attempt wide of the posts. The Exiles squandered their first chance to get points on the board when Peter Hewat failed to find the target with his penalty.

But Saracens made the breakthrough in the 18th minute when Jackson booted the ball over from their second penalty of the match. But the lead only lasted seconds as Irish charged their way up the pitch and Hewat set up Declan Danaher for the first try. Hewat’s conversion handed the visitors a 7-3 advantage.

Irish conceded a penalty midway through the first half and Jackson calmly converted the penalty to narrow the gap between the sides to one point. Hewat restored the four-point lead by kicking over a penalty shortly afterwards.

The Men in Black regained the lead in the 31st minute when Rauluni scored to send the bumper crowd into a frenzy. The Fijian picked up the ball from a scrum near the five-metre line and bulldozed his way over the line. Jackson’s conversion fired the hosts into a 13-10 lead at the break.

London Irish conceded a penalty five minutes into the second half for offside but Jackson’s effort cannoned off the post. The Exiles were given a controversial penalty in the 53rd minute when Paul Hodgson appeared to knock on. Hewat kicked over the three points to tie the match.

Saracens were penalised for handling in the ruck three minutes later but Hewat was unable to find the target. The hosts almost added their second try when Jackson’s kick played in Cencus Johnston but the powerhouse forward could not control the ball as it ran out of play. But Sarries were awarded a penalty and Jackson kicked the ball over to make it 16-13.

The Exiles had a chance to pull level late on but Hewat dragged his penalty well wide of the post four minutes from time. And they were left to rue the miss as Saracens deservedly held on for a memorable win over Irish.

Saracens: Goode, Ratuvou, Sorrell, Powell (Farrell, 75), Cato, Jackson, Rauluni; Lloyd, Ongaro, Johnston (Visagie, 76), Borthwick, Jack, Van Heerden, Saull (Skirving, 73), Owen

London Irish: Hewat, Ojo, Seveali’i, Mapasua, Tagicakibau (Catt, 62), Geraghty, Hodgson; Dermody (Murphy, 64), Paice, Lea’aetoa (Corbisiero, 55), Hudson (Roche, 55), Casey, Danaher, Armitage, Hala’ufia (Thorpe, 75)

Scoring: 3-0, 3-5, 3-7, 6-7, 6-10, 11-10, 13-10 HT 13-13, 16-13

Referee: Chris White

Attendance: 16,082