Hodgson loss hurt - Sale coach

Sale coach Jim Mallinder admitted the loss of fly-half Charlie Hodgson with a recurrence of his knee injury proved crucial in his side’s 23-16 home Heineken Cup defeat by Leinster.

Hodgson, who missed the World Cup after being plagued by knee problems for most of 2003, struggled after picking up a knock early in the game and bravely battled on until the 35th minute when he was replaced by Braam van Straaten.

“It is the same knee,” confirmed Mallinder. “He actually took a bang on it last week and it took three or four days to clear. Unfortunately, he got another bang on it today.

“We are going to have to have a look at it. If he is struggling, he will go for a scan and we’ll take it from there.” With Jonny Wilkinson still recuperating from a shoulder injury, the latest setback for his deputy will be a major worry for England coach Clive Woodward a month before the opening RBS 6 Nations game against Italy.

And Mallinder conceded the loss of his influential number 10 was a turning point in his side’s crucial pool three match, with replacement Braam van Straaten missing with two out of three penalties as Sale let slip a 13-3 lead.

“You can’t hide the loss of Charlie,” added Mallinder. “We suffered early season without him and we were just finding a little bit of form. Losing him today was a major blow and it showed in our performance.”

Steve Hanley’s seventh-minute try gave the Sharks a flying start and Hodgson, drop-goal hero of Sale’s 23-22 win at Lansdowne Road, kicked three goals from as many attempts to give his side an early 10-point cushion.

But a 27th-minute try from right winger John McWeeney brought the visitors back into the game and left winger Brendan Burke put his side in front for the first time when he added a second touchdown six minutes into the second half. Brendan O’Meara then piled on the agony for the home side by taking his goal tally to five.

Today’s win, coupled with Biarritz’s surprise defeat at Cardiff, leaves Leinster three points ahead of their French rivals and in charge of the group.

“We’ve still got to win at Biarritz but it’s in our hands,” said coach Gary Ella. “It was a pretty tough game today. I thought our defence won it in the end. We have worked hard on our defence and our communication was very good.”

Ella had particular praise for makeshift outside centre Gordon D’Arcy, who proved a superb deputy for the injured Brian O’Driscoll.

“Gordon’s a very good player,” said Ella. “He’s outstanding wherever he plays and he proved he’s an outstanding outside centre in attack and defence.” Leinster lost back row forwards Eric Miller (shoulder) and Victor Costello (knee) but Ella said he expected both men to be fit for next weeks’ home game against Cardiff.