England fly-half Charlie Hodgson has signed a new contract which will keep him with Sale Sharks for a further three years.

Head coach Jim Mallinder said: "We are delighted to have secured Charlie until at least 2005.

"He will be a key component in our future planning.

"Charlie is one of a growing number of young players to have come through our academy system and who now has the experience to carry the team forward.

"He is maturing all the time and is a very level-headed young man who keeps his feet firmly on the ground.

"For a young player he reads the game very well and seems able to cope with the pressure of playing at the highest level."

Hodgson made his senior debut in last season's Parker Pen Shield and has already scored 619 points for the club, including 411 this term.

He has also become the automatic replacement in the senior national side for England and British Lions fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

And he set a new English record of 44 points last November when he made his first senior start against Romania.

On Sunday, Hodgson will play a pivotal role in Sale's bid to lift the Parker Pen Shield as they face Pontypridd in the final.

He is then set to tour Argentina with England this summer as first choice fly-half, Wilkinson having been allowed to rest along with other English Lions.