Cueto has struggled desperately for fitness and form in the aftermath of the 2007 World Cup in France but he confirmed his recent renaissance with his fourth try in three games against the Exiles.

Irish led 8-6 at the break at a bitterly cold Edgeley Park but excellent work from discarded fly-half Charlie Hodgson and replacement Mathew Tait allowed Cueto to scamper clear in the right corner in the 57th minute.

With the RBS 6 Nations looming, Cueto could come into contention for a long-awaited recall.

Saint-Andre said: “Jonno was sat next to me so you'll have to ask him but Cueto is back to his best and he scored a try again.

“He has struggled with injuries for 18 months but in the past three months he's been free from injury and he's looked sharp, quick and strong.

“It's the best he's been in a long time – even during the World Cup he struggled with injury – but he's had a good pre-season and you can see in training how confident he is right now.

“He'll beat people one on one and when you're on the wing, you want this. He finished well for his try tonight.

“It was a big win, it keeps us in position to finish in the top four and it sets up nicely for Munster away in the Heineken Cup next week.”

Hodgson also put himself in the frame for an international recall after combining with Tait for the matchwinning try which secured arguably Sale's finest victory of the season.

Cueto and Irish replacement David Paice were sinbinned for their part in a melee which erupted as Sale celebrated the try but for Irish there was no way back thereafter and their only consolation was a losing bonus point.