Hodgson to put boot into Blues

Sale fly-half Hodgson starts for the first time since the opening game of the season when he faces Cardiff Blues at Edgeley Park tonight (FRI).

Sharks failed to win in the five weeks without Hodgson who beat Cardiff with a last-minute drop-goal, the last time the teams met in Europe.

Now Sharks boss Kingsley Jones has backed the England hopeful to prove his class.

Jones said: "For some reason, Charlie is the guy everyone seems to knock. But there are few players of his quality in the league and I wouldn't swap him for any other fly-half.

"He has come back from knee and shoulder injuries that have forced other guys to quit. Yet he still gets criticised for this or that, just because he hasn't had an amazing game.

"He has shown real character to keep coming back and it's great to see him in the team again."

Hodgson, 28, was dumped from England by Martin Johnson 16 months ago after his defence was exposed in the last of his 31 caps by the All Blacks.

But former Test flanker Jones reckons Hodgson can still shine for the Red Rose again.

Jones said: "Fly-halves are like fine wine, they get better as they mature. Charlie is only 28 so his best years are still ahead of him. He will prove to everyone over the next two years that he is real quality."

Sale name five Welshmen in the team to face Cardiff, including Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel.