Head coach Toby Booth praised teenager Tom Homer after his two tries helped London Irish see off Saracens.
Sarries head home disappointed after failing to make most of chances
London Irish head coach Toby Booth was full of praise for Tom Homer after he marked his Guinness Premiership debut with two tries against Saracens.
The 18-year-old stole the show after only being promoted to the starting line-up when James Bailey was summoned into the England Sevens squad.
Homer's efforts helped the Exiles secure a 27-14 win against their capital rivals, a result that moves them into second spot in the table.
Fantastic debut
"It was a fantastic debut, two tries in front of a 9,000 crowd," Booth said. "It's all part of the grow-your-own policy at London Irish.
"We're getting people out at the other end now who are representing their country and the club have to take great credit for resourcing that."
Defence coach Barrie-Jon Mather, who helped produce Homer through the club's Academy, stressed that the teenager was not even playing in his best position.
"We've been pushing him for selection for quite a while and that's not even his proper position," he added.
"We're looking at him as a 12 or a 15 and he's stepped in and done a fantastic job on the wing.
"Two tries, one with his first touch of the game - you can't really ask for more. He's got a fantastic attitude, wants to work, wants to learn."
Saracens were left wondering what could have been after letting slip an 11-8 half-time lead against their London rivals at the Madejski Stadium.
They also had the benefit of having a man extra in the closing stages when Exiles number eight Chris Hala'Ufia was yellow carded.
Opportunities
"They had a man in the bin, we were camped in their half and we let them off," coaching co-ordinator Richard Graham admitted.
"We had a number of opportunities to win the game and, ultimately, we weren't good enough. We just didn't keep our composure, particularly in the kicking battle."
The main positive for the beaten visitors was the performance of South African World Cup winner Wikus Van Heerden, who marked his first start with a try.
Graham added: "He's a tough man and he adds physicality to the collision area. His experience and his competitiveness is what we as a squad need."
