Charlie Hodgson gave Lions boss Clive Woodward a timely reminder of his talent as he scored 17 points in Sales second European Challenge Cup triumph.
Having scored ten points in his teams success over Pontypridd at the Kassam Stadium three years earlier, the England outside half was in even hotter form as he picked up the man-of-the-match award after scoring two fine tries.
Hodgson was one of five Lions selected in the Sale starting lineup and another two members of that famous five, Andy Titterrall and Mark Cueto also got among the tries.
Pau, the champions in 2000, were unable to stem Sales flow despite the torrential rain. By half time the English club were well on their way to a second title with a 17-3 lead. The first ten points came from Hodgson with a third minute penaly and a 24th minute try and conversion. Paus only points came from the boot of outside half Lionel Beauxis.
But no sooner had Pau notched their first points than Sale hit back with their second try through some brilliant support play wide out on the right by Titterrall.
The Lions hooker, playing in the back row for his club, took an inside pass from Cueto to cross near the corner which Hodgson converted.
Cueto was next across the Pau line 16 minutes after the break and Hodgson made victory secure with his second try on the hour.