Sharks trio pen new deals

Guinness Premiership champions Sale Sharks received a triple boost on Tuesday when director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre, head coach Kingsley Jones and England fly-half Charlie Hodgson all signed new contracts.

Saint Andre - who joined the club in March 2004 and was due to be out of contract at the end of the current season - and Jones have both agreed deals that will take them to 2010. It effectively rules the former Test centre out of the reckoning for the France job, with Bernard Laporte having indicated his intention to step down after next year's World Cup.

"Stability is very important in a successful team," Saint Andre told a news conference at Edgeley Park. "It was important that I pledged my future because we have another eight or nine players out of contract."

Hodgson, 25, ended speculation over his future by signing a new four-year contract that will take him to 2011.

"It was an easy decision to sign a new contract," he said.

"Sale gave me my opportunity in the first place and I'm a very loyal person.

"It was never really in my mind to leave the club."