Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall lauded Alex Goode for reigniting the side’s attack in their defeat of London Irish on Saturday.

The North London team struggled to gain a dominant lead in the first half, with only one score from Mako Vunipola, but Goode showed impressive attacking instincts after the break, playing a part in tries for Chris Wyles, Liam Williams and Nathan Earle.

The full-back earned man of the match for his efforts, which helped Saracens stay at the top of the table going into the Anglo-Welsh break, but has been left out of Eddie Jones’ squad for the autumn internationals.

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Goode last played in an England shirt against Fiji a year ago, but McCall believes the 29-year-old is rediscovering his best form and worthy of an international recall.

“Alex was amazing,” he said. “Some of his counter attacking was just magnificent, but it wasn’t just that. Some of the important passes he gave, like the one for Liam Williams’ try where he knew exactly when to put the brakes on and find his winger were superb.

“He was voted the best player in the Premiership a couple of seasons ago and he’s playing at the level again for us, he may not be in the England picture at the moment but he’s been great for us. He did very well out there.”

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After a slow start against London Irish, Saracens scored five tries in the second half to claim five points and top the Premiership table, two points clear of reigning champions Exeter Chiefs.

Though the first 40 minutes did not pan out how McCall would have wanted, he praised his team for taking matters into their own hands to come away with the win.

“We were pretty inaccurate in our play and we spent a long time down in London Irish’s half and didn’t come away with much,” he explained.

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“It was a little bit frustrating that we weren’t as clinical with our chances, but I’m happy with how we responded.

“We were much better in the second half. We have a pretty sensible bunch of players who had some good advice for themselves out there on the pitch and they fixed the small things that we needed to fix.

“We had to be more direct and make better decisions, wear them down and then the tries would come, and the players did that.”