Sale romped to victory in the European Challenge Cup final with a one-sided demolition of Pau at the Kassam Stadium.

All Sale's points came from their Lions contingent with Charlie Hodgson, Andy Titterrell and Mark Cueto crossing to help the Sharks to glory in a competition they previously won in 2002.

Hodgson led the four-try rout with a brace - the England fly-half touched down in each half - but he endured a miserable day with the boot, completing just three of his seven shots at goal.

All five of Sale's Lions negotiated the afternoon without mishap - news which is sure to delight tour boss Sir Clive Woodward - but it was a desperately poor match with pouring rain taking its toll.

Neither side got to grips with the conditions but that was of little consequence as Sale were superior to their French opponents - who entered the game on the back of six straight defeats - in every department.

Victory provided the perfect send-off for scrum-half Bryan Redpath whose battle with a long-term back injury will force him into retirement at the end of the month, while Sebastien Chabal produced another masterclass at number eight.

Chabal has been a revelation since his summer arrival from Bourgoin with his bullocking runs and big hits winning many fans at Edgeley Park and he was in magnificent form again today.

A typically robust charge from the Frenchman helped Sale off to a strong start as he peeled from the back of a scrum and made several yards before Pau infringed shortly after, allowing Hodgson to slot three points.

It was a predictably physical opening from Pau with Sale being met by some big hits at the gain line, denying them the chance to get their backline moving.

A loose kick from Lionel Beauxis set up one Sharks attack but winger Ben Foden was well marshalled when the ball reached him on the left wing, prompting a 10-minute spell marred by poor handling and sloppy kicking.

Hodgson was given a second shot at goal in the 16th minute but nudged it wide while another Sale attack ground to a halt when Chabal was left isolated after a lung-busting charge.

Pau were given a chance to draw level but Beauxis was also off-target and the French club were left to rue the missed chance as Sale worked their way downfield and crossed in the 25th minute.

Powerful work from their forwards set up the platform with the ubiquitous Chabal heavily involved before Redpath fed Hodgson, who fended off one feeble challenge and dived over in the corner.

There was suspicion of a forward pass but referee Alan Lewis - who was also the official when Sale won the Challenge Cup in 2002 - was happy and Hodgson converted his own try just a couple of metres in from the touchline.

Pau finally got off the mark in the 32nd minute with a simple penalty but Sale replied with a trademark jinking run from Jason Robinson who made some 40 metres - only for his side to then lose the ball at the ensuing breakdown.

Excellent work from Cueto saw the Sharks cross for a second time four minutes later with the England winger taking two tackles before offloading to his Lions colleague Titterrell.

Injury forced Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre to pick Titterrell at openside instead of his usual position at hooker and the 24-year-old's support work paid off as he finished the move nicely, with Hodgson adding the extras.

Pau were struggling at the scrum with number eight Alex Manta breaking from one set-piece as it edged backwards and conceding a penalty, but Hodgson could not complete the long-range attempt.

The rain began to pour down once again after a brief dry spell, ensuring both teams were content to kick for territory. To their credit Pau were trying to run the ball but their efforts were restricted by the slippery conditions.

Sale enjoyed greater success in the 56th minute, however, when impressive approach work from Hodgson allowed them to cross through Cueto in the right corner with an increasing number of gaps appearing in Pau's defence.

Their problems increased a heartbeat later when they were shoved off their own ball at a scrum with Chabal taking advantage of the forward momentum by setting off on another surging run.

Hodgson made the most of some sloppy defending to stroll over for his second try before the travelling Sale contingent rose to their feet to applaud Redpath's exit from the match and the end of his Sharks career.