Lack of Six Nations action has helped Exiles

London Irish player-coach Brendan Venter believes the lack of Six Nations calls for his players has been a bonus as they bid to repeat last season's shock Powergen Cup final victory over Northampton Saints in Sunday's semi-final at Oxford.

Venter, who has had three weeks to prepare his team, admitted: "We're quite lucky we didn't have that many people away on international duty.