Strettle scored a debut try for Saracens against Sale

Saracens boss Brendan Venter is hoping club captain Steve Borthwick and new winger David Strettle can light up his side's Aviva Premiership season.

The pair rose from the bench to spark a Sarries victory on Sunday with the score tied at 13-13 against Sale.

Venter told BBC Three Counties Radio: "Brilliant, he [Strettle] was very good, excellent out there.

"He's just world class, but so is Steve Borthwick. He made a massive difference when he came on the field."

Strettle, 27, replaced Noah Cato at the interval, but Venter was not disheartened by the 22-year-old's performance saying, "he had his best half of rugby for this club".

The defeat of the Sharks got the first points on the board for Saracens, who went down to London Irish the week before.

For director of rugby Venter the performance was a better reflection of his side's prospects this year.

606: DEBATE Borthwick shouldn't be captain. He believes he has a shot at playing for England again and should be left to concentrate on regaining his place GoonerGooner

"We'll be there in the end," the former Springbok added.

"I'm sure we've got a great squad, with very good, committed players and I'm sure we'll be there in the end."

A trip to Leeds Carnegie is up next for last season's play-off finalists and Venter has yet to forget his team's 19-12 loss there in March.

"They gave us a good whipping last year when we played them and we know how tough they are there," he added.

"We'll have to be sharp if we want to beat Leeds. They'll be up for it. Their teams are always very committed."

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