For Dowson, who was recalled to the Saxons squad ahead of the Six Nations, there was an added satisfaction as the Saxons overturned the drubbing handed out by the Irish in the 2009 Churchill Cup final.

Ireland 'A' also included several players with considerable big game experience such as Munster duo Peter Stringer and Marcus Horan, so for a team that contained no players with more than 10 caps the 17-13 win at The Rec was certainly an achievement, according to the back rower.

"We know what form the Irish sides are in Heineken Cup wise and in the Six Nations last year so it is a big result for us," he told Sky Sports. "We had to work hard for it. We played some decent stuff in the first half with some quick ball, but in the second half the breakdown turned into a nightmare. We didn't get quick ball and they made it very hard for us.

"We've got a great bunch of lads, a young squad. I'm the oldest in the squad, which is sad! We had a good week, doing a lot of tactical stuff like looking at the lineout and set piece and things came together."

Shane Geraghty was another player to leave Bath with plaudits ringing in his ears after scoring a try, two conversions and a penalty.

"Credit to both teams for the first 20 minutes," he told Sky Sports. "The ruck was ferocious, the tackling was great and it was one of those games where we're happy with the win. We took our chances in the first half, and for a team put together in a week we took them well. We got a bit of a lead which made them chase the game. Credit to Ireland in the second half, they were a very experienced team in the forwards and backs and they came back into it well.

"I'm happy with the win and happy for the coaches. In the summer we didn't do ourselves credit or do them proud, and today we did that."

The Saxons are next in action on Sunday afternoon, when they play Italy 'A' at the Stadio Comunale in Treviso.