CHARLIE Hodgson says Sale Sharks can turn the negative of their Heineken Cup exit into a positive as they seek to channel all their energies towards securing a place in the Guinness Premiership play-offs.

Hodgson will step out into action at Worcester this weekend for the first time since Sale's lowest point of the season, their 37-14 thrashing at the hands of European champions Munster a fortnight ago.

It was a night to forget for everyone from Edgeley Park but the England fly-half, who was rested for last weekend's win against Clermont Auvergne, says the disappointment of Sale's Heineken Cup campaign has only intensified their desire to atone in the league.

"We know what a big task Saturday's game is, especially given what happened to us earlier in the season when we lost at home to Worcester," said Hodgson.

"It's a huge game and one that we are looking forward to as this match and our following game away at Gloucester could really shape our season.

Efforts

"We didn't plan to let ourselves down in the Heineken Cup that just's the way it was. Obviously we were all disappointed with the outcome but, hopefully, we can turn the negative of what happened there into a positive and put all our efforts and energies into the Guinness Premiership now as that's the only thing left for us to focus on.

"It's so close between virtually all of the teams. A couple of wins here and there put clubs who are in seventh or eighth back into the top four.

"But the next two games for us are crucial and we can really cement a top four spot if we can win those two games. We beat Worcester away last year so hopefully we can stage a repeat of that."

Though the majority of Sale's squad under-performed at Thomond Park, Hodgson was singled out in some quarters for fierce personal criticism, even though he scored the Sharks' sole try that night.

Barbs

However, the 28-year-old, says he is big enough and wise enough not to be affected by such barbs.

"The good thing about rugby is that you get the chance the following week to try and put things right although, because I didn't play against Clermont last weekend, I haven't had chance yet!," he said.

"You do dwell on it but it's a matter of just trying to learn from those mistakes and to move on.

"Criticism is all part and parcel of the game and although it does really affect some people, I take it all with a pinch of salt. The only criticism I really take note of is from the coaches who I work with."

The Worcester clash will represent Sale's first competitive match since Kingsley Jones took over duties as director of rugby earlier this week following Philippe Saint-Andre's appoint- ment at French club Toulon.

But Hodgson says, as far as the Sharks squad is concerned, it's business as usual.

"The switch in responsibilities is not an issue at all as far as the players are concerned. Everybody has known for a while now that Philippe is going at the end of the year," he said.

"Regardless of where Philippe's going, it doesn't make any difference."

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