Munster out-played Sale - Hodgson

Hodgson was not in the Sharks starting line-up against Munster

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson has admitted holders Munster were too smart for Sale in the Heineken Cup.

The Irish outfit held off the home side's fightback to win 24-16 at Edgeley Park on Sunday, and Hodgson admitted he was impressed.

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "Munster are a clever side really.

"They knew what they had to do to win and we made far too many mistakes in the game to be able to put them under a lot of pressure."

Hodgson, who was kept on the bench until the second half as Richard Wigglesworth started at number 10, added: "We played well in patches and not others.

"If you do that against a side like Munster, who are very clinical, then you end up suffering for it."