Drahm sinks Exiles with late drop-goal

London Irish 21 Northampton 22

Drahm stunned a 17,364 Madejski Stadium crowd - the Premiership’s biggest attendance this season - with a virtuoso display after going on as a half-time replacement for Paul Grayson. His match-winning drop-goal arrived four minutes into injury-time. The Exiles led for most of the match, indebted to 18 points from fly-half Mark Mapletoft, including three drop-goals, but Drahm ultimately took top billing.

The Australian also rifled over three penalties, two from long range, and Saints scored the game’s solitary try through scrum-half Mark Robinson.

They now face Leeds on New Year’s Day, and after climbing above relegation rivals Worcester, another victory would provide another major survival boost for new coach Budge Pountney.

Zurich Premiership: Sale 19 Bath 10; Wasps 33 Gloucester 20; Leeds Tykes 11 Newcastle Falcons 15; Leicester 50 Worcester 7.