HEINEKEN CUP, POOL THREE Leinster Lions (13) 22 Tries: Corrigan Cons: O'Meara Pens: O'Meara 3 Dg: D'Arcy, O'Meara Sale Sharks (20) 23 Tries: White, Jones Cons: Hodgson 2 Pens: Hodgson 2 Dg: Hodgson

It was his right boot that won the opening Pool Three game at Cardiff, and he did the same in the dying moments at Lansdowne Road.

Hodgson also chipped in with two penalties and converted tries by Jason White and Chris Jones.

Leinster's Brian O'Meara kicked 14 points and Reggie Corrigan a lone try.

It was a rivetting game, but it was Sale's half-back pairing of Bryan Redpath and Hodgson that was the main difference between the two sides.

Sale were worthy of their first-half lead with Hodgson controlling the game in the number 10 jersey.

Hodgson opened up with an early penalty before Leinster themselves charged upfield with a surging run from winger John McWeeney allowing skipper Corrigan to crash over with O'Meara adding the extra points.

Undaunted, Sale replied with a great run by Mark Cueto and then the ball swung wide right for flanker Jason White to go over.

Sin-binned

Hodgson converted, but a penalty by O'Meara and a snap drop goal by D'Arcy allowed Leinster to take the lead again in the 24th minute.

But it was Sale who ended the half on a high with Hodgson landing his second penalty and converting a try by lock Chris Jones after a great move downfield.

Although Leinster lost Victor Costello to the sin-bin in the 48th minute, they slowly chiselled their way back into the game with an O'Meara penalty three minutes later.

An O'Meara drop goal and penalty gave Leinster the lead again in the 73rd minute.

But it was that man Hodgson who won the game for the Sharks with his side's only points at the end of a frantic second half.

Leinster, however, still top Pool Three with a bonus point keeping them two points ahead of Sale who welcome Leinster to Manchester next week.

Leinster Lions: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; M Leek, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle, M O'Kelly, B Gissing, E Miller or A McCullen, V Costello, K Gleeson.
Replacements: J Moran, G Hickie, D Dillon, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, B Burke, D Quinlan.

Sale Sharks: J Robinson; M Cueto, C Mayor, G Bond, S Hanley; C Hodgson, B Redpath; A Sheridan, A Titterrell, S Turner, C Jones, D Schofield, J White, S Pinkerton, A Sanderson (capt).
Replacements: M Cairns, K Yates, B Stewart, I Fullarton, M Lund, V Going, R Wigglesworth .

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales).