Aviva Premiership: Charlie Hodgson helps Saracens see off his former employers

Charlie Hodgson made sure Saracens didn't miss a beat due to the absence of Owen Farrell, helping his side to a 40-19 victory over Sale at Allianz Park.

The former Sharks fly-half converted all three of Sarries' first-half tries, as well as kicking a trio of penalties, as the hosts surged 30-7 ahead by the midway point of the contest.

Sale's line was breached by Alex Goode, Ernst Joubert and Richard Barrington during the course of the match, while referee JP Doyle also awarded a penalty try after a five-metre scrum had collapsed.

Saracens had such a cushion that they could afford to have both Goode and George Kruis sin-binned, the second of the two yellow cards coming shortly after the Sharks had been awarded a penalty try of their own.

Danny Cipriani kicked two penalties but on a day when he might have hoped to press his England claims in the light of Farrell being sidelined with a thigh injury, it was instead Hodgson who held sway in the midfield battle.

The 33-year-old - who won 38 international caps himself over an 11-year stretch - was typically assured, directing last year's beaten Premiership finalists superbly until departing in the 71st minute with ice strapped to his knee.

Looking to impress ahead of the autumn internationals, Cipriani saw his first clearance charged down by centre Brad Barritt - who limped off shortly after - while a second went sideways, inviting pressure on Sale.

Breached early

Their defensive line was duly breached as early as the second minute when Goode easily side-stepped lock Jonathan Mills and weaved his way over the 22 and across the whitewash.

A conversion and penalty, both by Hodgson, saw Saracens surge 10-0 ahead but their pack crumbled trying to complete a line-out catch and drive. Mark Easter caught the ball instead and Sale's forwards rapidly ate up the remaining ground to the try line, allowing the chance for David Seymour to peel off to finish.

Yet two penalties from Hodgson restored daylight to the lead and a turnover then led to Chris Ashton setting up the opportunity for Joubert to force his way over.

Hodgson could do little wrong as his conversion struck the right upright and crept in, and he was given the easiest of kicks just before the interval when Sale were unable to prevent their scrum splintering from five metres out to concede a penalty try.

A break by Sale substitute Vadim Cobilas ended with Tom Brady crossing for the away team in the 53rd minute, though they were denied the opportunity to score again when Goode came in from the side and was rightly yellow carded.

Despite being a man down Sarries still managed to grab a fourth try to seal the bonus point, substitute Barrington burrowing over after Nick Tompkins had made inroads. Richard Wigglesworth converted just as Hodgson left the field.

Goode took over the kicking duties to round out the scoring with a late penalty, by which time both Kruis and Seymour had been sent to the bin.