Ian McGeechan, Northampton's director of rugby, denied personal responsibility for his side's high-octane performance at Sunbury on Saturday, but the masterly imprint of the 1997 Lions coach on this six-try victory was unmistakable.

Tight mental focus for 80 minutes, combined with much improved technical skills, propelled the Saints above the defeated Wasps and away from the Premiership's relegation zone.

At the hub of the meaningful action was England out-half Paul Grayson, who turned the screw with 26 points that included a last-minute try at the posts.

The Exiles' undeserved 19th-minute lead, a long-range try by Mark McCall against the run of play, was nullified by half time thanks to a well-worked touchdown by Budge Pounteney, plus a tranche of 11 points from Grayson.

"Northampton showed us the way to play with their high intensity game, but I was disappointed that we didn't more of the 50-50 balls," said Willie Anderson, London Irish director of coaching. "Every match in this League is like a highly competitive international - on the day Northampton were the more positive side. We do miss (the injured) Jeremy Davidson's non-stop intensity as a trainer, motivator and leader on the field."

Whether Anderson can pull off another minor miracle by keeping the Exiles in the top flight must be open to doubt: his man-management skills are second to none, but his mission to recruit three or four quality internationals has stalled temporarily largely because those players worth signing are under contract until next May.

London Irish: C O'Shea, J Bishop, N Burrows (60 mins C Bird), M McCall (60 mins S Burns), N Woods, D Humphreys, N Hogan, J Fitzpatrick, A Redmond, G Halpin, G Fulcher, M O'Kelly, K O'Connell, K Dawson (60 mins R Hennessy), K Spicer.