Sale Sharks' fly-half has his eyes set on steering his club to Parker Pen Shield glory as they go into their semi-final clash with Gloucester tomorrow.

"It's going to be a difficult game, we haven't beaten them this year," he told the Press Association.

"They've got a strong pack and they've shown that throughout the season and that's why they are in second place.

"If we can win the Shield or finish in the top four then we are in the Heineken Cup and that is something that Sale have never done before so it would be a great achievement for the club.

"I wouldn't say it was something we targeted at the beginning of the year but as the season progressed we actually sat down and thought 'we can do it now'.

"It's been a good building season this year and we've done really well to be where we are now. Hopefully we'll be there again next year."

Head coach Jim Mallinder and his assistant Steve Diamond both signed two-year contract extensions and were joined by a number of key players, including club captain Bryan Redpath who turned down the chance of a move to European champions Leicester.

"It's not a bad reflection on how far we have come," Hodgson continued.

"It's good to know that people do want to stay and aren't thinking of moving on, they're quite happy where they are now and its good for the progression of the club.

"After finishing 10th last season and not doing that well, we made some good signings and have worked hard this year. Nothing's come easy to us but we've been winning away from home and picked up some good results."

Fresh from a nomination as the PRA Players' Young Player of the Year, the ambitious 21-year-old is looking to round off a memorable season with an appearance in the final before he turns his thoughts to a summer England tour.

"It's been a great year for me," he said.

"I didn't expect to be capped and finishing the year off with four caps after the Six Nations.

"Hopefully I'll be going away on a summer tour and things are looking good for Sale so its going really well."