The two teams have been drawn into Pool C of the EPCR Challenge Cup, with Irish travelling to Section Paloise in their opening game on December 11, while Saracens are at home to Edinburgh Rugby on the same day.

With lock Adam Coleman sent off midway through the first half, Irish had a mountain to climb as they trailed 34-8 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Tries from Tom Woolstencroft, Rotimi Segun (2) and Ben Earl had put Saracens in control, and the hosts looked to have quashed any comeback hopes as Mako Vunipola’s score on 60 minutes cancelled out Rowe’s first effort.

But Rowe would cross again three minutes later, before Nick Phipps and Matt Rogerson dotted down to move the visitors to within striking distance.

Rowe then completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds, with Rory Jennings' conversion completing a memorable fightback.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Brett Connon’s 71st minute penalty gave Newcastle Falcons a 15-14 win at Exeter Chiefs, after George McGuigan and Ben Stevenson went over for the EPCR Challenge Cup side.

Worcester were unable to manage the same feat against Heineken Champions Cup opposition as they went down 27-5 at Bristol Bears. Noah Heward notched what proved to be a consolation score for the visitors.

In the TOP 14, Antoine Hastoy tallied 21 points as Pau won 33-21 at home to fellow EPCR Challenge Cup outfit Biarritz Olympique.

Jordan Joseph, Clovis Le Bail and Hastoy all crossed for the hosts in the final 20 minutes following earlier tries from Biarritz’s Baptiste Couilloud, Francis Saili and Bastien Soury.

25 points from Léo Berdeu inspired Lyon to a 30-23 home win against Heineken Champions Cup side Castres Olympique - the fly-half converted his own try and kicked six penalties, while Jordan Taufua dotted down for the EPCR Challenge Cup team’s other score.

CA Brive were also triumphant at home to a Heineken Champions Cup opponent, beating Racing 92 12-10 thanks to four Enzo Hervé penalties.

Meanwhile, Genesis Mamea Lemalu and Mathieu Acebes crossed as USAP fell to a 37-15 defeat at Stade Toulousain.

Winger Kyle Rowe scored a hat-trick as 14-man London Irish produced a sensational comeback to draw 34-34 at EPCR Challenge Cup rivals Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.