Mark McCall has praised Owen Farrell after the fly-half scored a try and kicked six points during Saracens' European Rugby Champions Cup win over Sale Sharks.

The England international started Saturday's match at inside centre, but switched to number 10 after Charlie Hodgson picked up an injury in the 19-15 victory.

Sarries director of rugby McCall told BBC Sport: "Owen Farrell's a brilliant young player. He comes back to the club and he understands that he's not played much rugby this year.

"With Charlie Hodgson off injured, it was wonderful to have someone of Owen's calibre to see us home. We know how difficult this place is to come and we've got to do the business against them again next week.

"Our defence in the last 20 minutes was pretty heroic. Sale had a lot of energy throughout and there were times where we could have felt sorry for ourselves and we didn't."

The win moved Saracens off the bottom of Pool One, and prevents Sale from reaching the knockout stages.