England fly-half Charlie Hodgson produced the ideal response to last Sunday's Twickenham nightmare by guiding Sale Sharks to a 19-10 Premiership win over Leeds Tykes on Friday night.

Hodgson did his British & Irish Lions chances no favours with a woeful kicking display against France, but he put himself back in contention for a place on this summer's tour of New Zealand with a composed display which included three penalties, a conversion and a dropped goal.

In a game littered with handling errors and some bizarre decision making, Hodgson stood out like a beacon, directing affairs with a cool authority.

And although the game was played out in front of just over 7,500 in the cosy surroundings of Edgeley Park - rather than 75,000 for England against France at Twickenham - Hodgson has at least taken the first steps on the road to redemption.

The 24-year-old could scarcely have asked for an easier first shot at goal, as Leeds encroached in front of the posts just 15 metres out. The fly-half duly slotted the penalty to make it 3-0 to the Sharks.

His next effort was altogether more difficult, but he struck a sweet kick from the right hand touchline to make it 6-0.

Next he managed to achieve what he failed to at Twickenham last week and knocked over the simplest of dropped goals.

He then converted Andrew Sheridan's try before a final penalty success made the game safe.

Applies to News : England