Bonus point 'the cream on the cake' for Boyd as Saints win at The Stoop

Boyd's side didn't click during the first period, heading in at half-time level at 3-3 with just a James Grayson penalty to show for their efforts.

But they stepped on the accelerator after the break, scoring four tries, with two penalty tries sandwiched between fantastic finishes from Tom Collins and Ahsee Tuala.

It all made for a satisfying day's work for Saints, who moved back into the slipstream of the Gallagher Premiership top four ahead of Wednesday's home game against Bath.

And Boyd said: "We felt at half-time that we had plenty of energy and plenty of juice left in the tank and we had an idea that theirs was starting to run out.

"We knew if we were a little bit more patient and a little bit more accurate, we could get some reward.

"The aim was to come here and get a win and the cream on top of the cake was getting the bonus point because they're going to be important.

"We wasted five minutes with that penalty try (from the scrum), but ultimately Ace tiptoed down the right wing and scored a pretty decent try."

Saints had been beaten at the breakdown during their home defeat to Wasps six days earlier.

But they were much better in that area against Irish.

Boyd added: "We had sanitised the breakdown too much last week and we didn't compete but the pleasing thing was that this time our enthusiasm and energy was much better."

England lock Nick Isiekwe was named man of the match on debut for Saints.

And Boyd said: "It's a great start for Nick.

"It puts the pressure on our locks and our loose forwards because he's very capable of playing six as well.

"It would make a very decent sized back row if we played Courtney (Lawes) and Nick Isiekwe in the back row, wouldn't it?

"I was really pleased for him and I thought the other guys who got their debuts for the club, Tom James, at half-back, and Shaun Adendorff all had pretty good performances."