SINCE Steve Diamond took over the head coach role from Rod Kafer in mid-December, Saracens have adopted a primarily forwards-based game-plan.

The ethos garnered their first bonus point victory of the season against Newcastle Falcons on Friday evening, and, significantly, each of the four tries were scored by forwards. Even Rob Andrew, the Falcons head coach, was impressed, terming Sarries the Premiership's second best scrummaging side behind leaders Leicester Tigers.

Cobus Visagie, Saracens' hulking South African tight-head prop, has been delighted with how the pack have functioned of late.

"It's been working well now for a number of weeks it's just a been a case of converting it into points," he said after Friday's victory. "You just recognise the work of the forwards more when you win.

"We have shown this season that we have one of the most dominant forward packs in the league. It's just about holding on to he ball and our kicker getting his game right.

"If we continue with this effort we showed tonight there are very few teams that will be able to stop us home or away."

The strength of the Men in Black's tight five as a unit this term has masked the value of certain key individuals, according to Visagie.

"I think guys like Kevin Yates, Matt Cairns and Kris Chesney are very underrated England players, and there have been sides with England guys in this season that we have beaten up up-front. It's time for people to start looking at these players and seeing what they can do.

"We have played with three different tight fives in the last week and there has been the same quality of performance at the set-peice. It just shows we have got depth in he squad, but that will be really tested over the next month."

The Diamond mentality has met agreeably with the former Springbok prop especially given the up-turn in results.

"I'm enjoying my rugby at the moment but only if we win. It's a war but I really enjoy winning my little battles and it's very rewarding."