Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre was pleased Brian Ashton axed Charlie Hodgson from his England squad.
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Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre was the grateful beneficiary of Brian Ashton's decision to axe Charlie Hodgson from his England squad after watching him orchestrate a 22-16 victory over Gloucester.
The fly-half was utilised by England as substitute in last week's 15-9 defeat against Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations after being called up when Danny Cipriani was dropped for his now infamous nightclub visit.
Jonny Wilkinson was relegated to the bench for his part in the Murrayfield shambles, and with Cipriani lining up at No 10 against Ireland tomorrow, Hodgson this week found himself discarded by Ashton and back on club duty.
No-one was happier than Saint Andre as Hodgson was the stand-out player against Gloucester, converting four penalties from five attempts, landing a delightful drop-goal and converting a try he created for Ben Foden in the 54th minute.
His personal points haul of 17 said everything about his value to Sale on a night when there was precious little freeflowing rugby on display, due to a pitch which resembled a cabbage patch.
Attack and defence
"Charlie was the man of the match tonight - good in attack and good in defence," said Saint Andre.
"He missed just one kick but he kicked three very difficult ones and I must say thank you to England for giving us Charlie back.
"I'm sorry because he played 10 minutes for England against Scotland and he did nothing wrong.
"But at Sale we had a smile on our face when the squad was announced and Ashton didn't pick Charlie.
"It's a shame for him but fantastic for the squad and for the club."
This success against a Gloucester side decimated by injury and Six Nations call-ups ended a run of two straight defeats for Sale and keeps them handily placed in fourth spot.
Saint Andre reserved special praise for try-scorer Foden - who will become Northampton's scrum-half next season - after he made his first start since November at full-back after a shoulder injury.
Bonus point
The Frenchman added: "It was an important win and keeps us up there but I don't think Gloucester deserved their bonus point.
"However, we played well and Ben Foden will be an outstanding player.
"He's leaving us and that's very disappointing. He wants to play scrum-half but I think he's an excellent full-back."
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan has seen his side squad decimated by injury and international call-up but they at least claimed a bonus point to extend their lead at the Premiership summit.
Ryan admitted Hodgson proved the difference, saying: "He's a world-class player and his tactical kicking was very clever.
"But I think at a period like this, when so many of our players are missing, that we have to be happy with a bonus point."
