Hodgson (left) defied the pain to kick Sale to victory

Hodgson was in clear discomfort with a rib injury after a heavy Simon Shaw tackle in the first half, but stayed on to guide Sale to victory.

"Charlie couldn't tackle so he went on the wing," said Saint-Andre.

"But he didn't want to come off the pitch. He wanted to stay on - that demonstrates the attitude of the team."

Hodgson finished with 17 points and a 100% kicking record as Sale ended Wasps' three-year run as Premiership champions.

"We had a fly-half on the bench in Valentin Courrent but he has had a shoulder injury all week," added Saint-Andre.

"Charlie has a big bruise on his ribs but I think he will be fit for the (27 May) final."

Saint-Andre reminded his players not to get carried away with the win.

Sale finished six points clear at the top of the table at the end of the regular season, but will have to beat Leicester at Twickenham to clinch the Premiership title.

We'll be working towards being just as big a force next year Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan

"We must savour this moment and take this mentality into the game in two weeks - we are not champions yet," said Saint-Andre.

Meanwhile, Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan vowed that his side would come back stronger next season.

"We have just become the challengers now," said McGeechan.

"We have been beaten at the death here but we'll be working towards being just as big a force next year."

McGeechan did cite the hamstring injury suffered by flying winger Tom Voyce - sustained as he sprinted towards the Sale try-line - as a major turning point.

"It was a seven-point injury wasn't it?" he said.

"Seven points disappeared and as the game evolved, that was always going to be crucial.

"All credit to Sale, they held on to the ball when they had it and we didn't do as much as we should have when we had it. But they were holding on at the end."