South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White will be offered the chance to return to Saracens next year after his week-long consultancy ended in a 23-6 victory over Worcester.

White worked with the English Premiership team's defence, which had leaked three tries in each of its last two games, and Saracens reaped the rewards by conceding only two penalties to secure their first win in three matches yesterday.

Pacific Islander Kameli Ratuvou scored a try and Glen Jackson and Brad Barritt also crossed the line to prevent Mike Ruddock's Worcester making it three consecutive wins.

Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones, who is a close friend of White having worked alongside the South African at the World Cup, revealed he has already set in motion a deal for White to return early in 2009.

“Jake is a top coach and a guy I've known a while and I'm confident of getting him back here in January or February,” said Jones.

“He came in and wanted us to change one or two things with our defence.

“He's a good guy to have as a consultant. I know Toulon have been calling him so I'll be interested to see if he goes there.

“He has already sent me five text messages asking 'who coached the defence this week?' so I know he'll be interested in doing it again.

“It was a very good performance from us and I'm really pleased with our whole team, I thought everybody contributed out there and it was important to get a win.”

Elsewhere, London Irish went top of the table with an 18-13 win at Bristol after fly-half Shane Geraghty's 68th minute-try.

Harlequins stopped Bath going top as they came from behind to win 21-14.

Bath went ahead when Jonny Faamatuainu scored the first try of the match but Quins levelled after 63 minutes through Jordan Turner-Hall's try. Ceri Jones plunged over with 10 minutes left to lift Quins into fourth.

AFP

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