The Exiles blitzed top-of-the-table rivals Gloucester 42-12 as they opened up a two-point gap on Bath, who moved second following a dramatic victory over Sale Sharks.

Gloucester were outgunned in all areas, with Irish fly-half Peter Hewat kicking 22 points, while Declan Danaher, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Delon Armitage and Paul Hodgson scored tries.

Booth said: “You have to be very good to get a four-try bonus point against quality opposition - and the Premiership is stacked with quality opposition, no more so than Gloucester.

“This is where they end up year in and year out and, as I’ve said, being top of the league in December counts for absolutely nothing.

“But in relation to the performance, I’m pleased with it and delighted with the outcome.”

Gloucester became the latest victims of Irish’s destructive attacking game - and head coach Dean Ryan must now pick his players up off the floor for next Saturday’s tricky west country derby at Bristol.

“We were significantly second best in most parts of the game,” he admitted. “I thought we were poor and lacked energy.

“Every contest we entered, we lost. We were so far behind that we had to play a game which was not conducive to getting a result.

“The challenge (for Irish) is that it (the Premiership) is not won on a day in December.

“Whether that can cut across nine months and be sustained, remains to be seen.”