This was no more true than in the clash at Franklin's Gardens back in September, when the lead changed hands four times in a nip-and-tuck affair. A penalty try seven minutes from time looked to have given the Saints the points, only for Tom Homer to land a last-minute three-pointer to ensure that the Exiles headed home with the win under their belts.

On home turf London Irish have been having a promising season in Aviva Premiership Rugby, winning all bar one of their matches at the Madesjki Stadium - and that was by a single point to Bath at the end of October. In Homer they have Aviva Premiership Rugby's top points scorer, while Jonathan Joseph and Topsy Ojo have bagged five tries apiece.

But the Saints have found Reading to be a happy hunting ground in recent seasons having won there on their previous two league visits. And the last two performances against Gloucester and Sale Sharks showed that the men in black, green and gold are in battling form going into the final third of the Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign.

You can watch how the Saints get on live on Sky Sports 2, but it would mean a lot to the team to run out in front of plenty of black, green and gold in the Madejski Stadium stands - tickets are on sale now via www.london-irish.com