Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson signs new three-year deal

Sale Sharks have announced that director of rugby Alex Sanderson has signed a new three-year contract with the Premiership club.

Sanderson played for Sale Sharks 90 times between 1998 and 2004 before moving Saracens in 2004. He was forced to retire from rugby in 2005 due to a back injury. He also played for England on five occasions 2001 and 2003.

He joined Saracens as forwards and the defence coach under Mark McCall in 2008 and was part of the side that went on to win five Premiership titles and three European Cups. In 2021 he was appointed the director of rugby of Sale Sharks and in the 2022/23 season he guided them to the final of the Premiership which they eventually lost to Saracens with a 25-35 margin.

“I love it here and there are so many reasons to want to stay for at least three more years, and build on what we’ve already achieved," he told the club's official website.

“The group that I’ve grown to know and love is a group that I want to spend time with. I feel like we’re just getting to know each other better and when you build that trust, things start to fire on the pitch.

“I’m also a proud northerner and to be able to coach and live in this part of the world, where I come from, is reason to get up in the morning.

“It’s an exciting time for everyone at the club and we’ve still got everything to play for this season. We’ve got four weeks to win it all, when four weeks ago, no-one gave us a chance. That’s driving me.”