Sarries-bound Charlie Hodgson slams Mike Brewer's reign at Sale

England international Charlie Hodgson has delivered a damning verdict on Mike Brewer's reign as Sale Sharks head coach.

New Zealander Brewer, who was assistant Scotland coach under Frank Hadden until May 2009, was sacked two days before Christmas, with former Sale captain Pete Anglesea put in charge until the end of this season.

Fly-half Hodgson will leave Sale later this year to join their Aviva Premiership rivals Saracens, but he claims the squad environment has improved drastically since Anglesea took over.

Brewer publicly criticised Hodgson following Sharks' defeat against Wasps earlier this term, although Hodgson insists he had thoughts of joining another club long in advance of Brewer arriving at Edgeley Park.

But Hodgson, who was yesterday added to the England squad for the RBS Six Nations. also admitted he might have had a rethink about his future had Anglesea headed up the coaching team from the start of this season. "I know there was a lot of speculation about myself and Mike Brewer, and I want to put the record straight that, regardless of what was said, there was no massive argument with Mike Brewer," said Hodgson.

"Having stated what he did in the press when he criticised me after the Wasps game, that was it. Job done. All the subsequent stuff that has come out, that it was all my fault that he's gone, is absolute rubbish.

"The thoughts about possibly doing something else came before he arrived. But it's fair to say once he arrived, at that time he definitely made my mind up. For me, I have been at Sale for a long period of time and, for someone to come in and upset the apple-cart so much, it really got to me.

"I've given everything I can to this club, and this guy's come in and made it really awkward for everybody - not just me. And that's what I struggled to come to terms with."

Sale lost their first game under Anglesea, but have since beaten Saracens and drawn at Newcastle to take them 12 points clear of Premiership bottom club Leeds Carnegie. Hodgson added: "The squad is no different - it's just a change of mentality.

"The environment is a much more enjoyable place to be. People don't get abused every day, and it's a nice place to come to work.

"Beforehand, a big part of the squad were not happy. The fact that (Sale owner) Brian (Kennedy) has made his decision has uplifted the place.

"The fact that Pete is now in charge has changed the environment. He's a positive guy, he's enthusiastic and he wants his players to do well."