BEWARE Charlie Hodgson -- that is one of the messages Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner will ram home to his players as he returns to Sale for Sunday's Heineken Cup-tie.

Hodgson is the leading points scorer in England, as well as being one of the best outside halves in the Northern Hemisphere.

He has scored 199 points for England in 22 Tests and holds the individual record for one match with the 44 he scored on his debut against Romania in 2001.

His career total for Sale stands at 1,382 in his sixth year with the club, 966 of them in the Premiership where only five players have topped 1,000 - Jonny Wilkinson, Tim Stimpson, Paul Grayson, Andy Goode and Barry Everitt.

He's got 186 points this season, 126 in the league and he scored 18 points in the first match against the Dragons in the 38-11 victory at Rodney Parade on October 28.

"He is the best fly half in England at the moment," said Turner, himself a former outside half. "He manages the game, he's one of the better kickers and he had a good Lions tour.

He's definitely got a lot better and as with most teams in this competition you've got to have a really good 10.

"He's the key to them, he's quite pragmatic and can take the ball up, he's got good hands and he complements the outside backs. He's Sale's danger man."

Asked about Wilkinson, Turner replied, "Jonny hasn't played, I don't think anyone can remember how he plays."

Turner will return to the the club where he was player-coach in the early 90s after leaving his native Gwent. He is not surprised by Sale's rapid rise to the top, though the financial backing of millionaire Brian Kennedy has been pivotal.

"We did say Manchester had the potential. People used to say we couldn't compete with rugby league and Manchester United, Man City or even Stockport, but Sale has been rejuvenated with the introduction of Brian Kennedy.

"Five or six years ago they were in turmoil because they didn't have him and they threatened to disintegrate, but they revived with his help.

"But even that puts you under pressure. Jim Mallender and Steve Diamond (Sale's previous coaches) did say that if they had lost to Biarritz they would have been dismantled.

"Brian Kennedy is very demanding as an owner and it puts extra pressure on you to win things.

"It's a difficult place to go and it's a big ask, but I'm sure we can go to to toe with them. "I didn't feel the scoreline was a reflection of the match here and it might have looked as though we were overpowered.

"They've got a big strong squad and are able to rest players and, more importantly, rest ones carrying injuries.

"Chabal and Sheridan have proved key players. What you've got to do is go there with a combative, hard edge up front.

"There is a lot of pride at stake for us, it's live on TV and we'll see it as a challenge. We're not going there to make the numbers up."