RODD PENNEY hopes to enjoy some better fortune against former side London Irish tomorrow (Saturday) while adding to his impressive try haul on the road.

Saracens face the Exiles at Reading's Madejski Stadium (1.30pm kick off) knowing nothing less than a win will do if they are to remain in the hunt for a Premiership play-off spot following four defeats in their last six league games.

Crucial to victory will be Penney, who returns to the wing after filling in for injured outside centre Kevin Sorrell for the last three matches.

Sarries have crossed the line just six times in their last five outings but Penney, the club's current second highest try scorer with eight is keen to address that lean spell against his old team.

He is certainly due to show Brian Smith's men what they are missing out on. Since swapping Reading for Watford ahead of the 2006/07 season Penney has not enjoyed the best of times against Irish.

He was replaced late on in Sarries' Anglo-Welsh Cup defeat in September 2006, was sin-binned less than a minute after coming on for Richard Haughton in the Men in Black's 19-8 win at The Vic in January last year for shoving Delon Armitage, and was an unused substitute in the 22-7 win at the Mad Stad' two months later.

This season, Penney left the field early during the 24-20 win in Watford following an accidental clash of heads with Peter Hewat.

Prior to that injury, the New Zealand born speedster scored six tries and has added another two since, topping last season's seven try haul. Of the eight he has scored, six of them have come away from home.

"If the team plays well the individual tends to play well," said the modest 29-year-old. "I've played at outside centre and the wing this season but I honestly don't mind where I play. You have got to be adaptable for the benefit of the team.

"The outside backs in general have played quite well this season and it's been good to be part of that unit."

Penney spent two years with the Exiles before moving up the M25 with clubmates Paul Gustard and Ross Laidlaw, the fly half now at Plymouth Albion.

And he is relishing another tough battle with the green shirts who, since losing to Sarries last November have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions including their last four league outings.

"It's always good to play against London Irish because of the many familiar faces," added Penney. "I'm sure the guys there will be reminding me of some of the things that have happened against them in previous games. But for me it's just another game and one we have to win.

"We've started slowly at times so it's about going out and playing some decent rugby.

"They've been playing well lately and we'll have to perform if we're to come away with a result."

Penney, who lies 7th in the OPTA player starts for metres made with 614 and has 13 clean breaks to his name insists there is no cause for alarm over Sarries' try drought.

"I can't put my finger on why we are not scoring but it's not a big drama," he said. "We've got eight league games left and are facing adversity right now. It's how we deal with it and stay positive from now until the end of the season. So many teams are vying for a top four spot and nothing is guaranteed yet.

"There are 40 league points up for grabs and we're also in a European Cup quarter final and a cup semi final. It's going to be such an exciting three months until the end of the season and a good test for us."

Another former Exile, Sarries flanker Paul Gustard is also looking forward to returning to a club he served for more than four years. He remains good friends with several former teammates but will be putting sentiment aside tomorrow.

"I've a lot of good memories from my time there particularly my first year when I was captain and we were fighting relegation," recalled the 32-year-old. "My last year at the club was probably one of the best in the club's history for some time.

"They had a slow start to this season but since then have enjoyed some good results and their Heineken Cup form has been outstanding. They are playing some attractive rugby and are a big threat with the ball in hand. They also have one of the best set piece in the country."

Gustard has been a regular fixture in the starting line up this year and is confident the Men in Black can turn things around following two poor defeats.

"Our last two results have gone against us," he added. "Newcastle were the better side while against Harlequins too many players didn't perform to their potential.

"So we go into the Irish game not in the best of form but we've great belief in the squad and are confident of getting a good result."