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Gallagher PremiershipSaleSaracens

Former England centre lauds 'special human' Sanderson

(Photo by Rachel Holborn/CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Former Saracens captain Brad Barritt has described his former coach Alex Sanderson as “one of the best in the game”, after he was named as Sale Sharks’ new Director of Rugby on Friday.

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Sanderson replaces Steve Diamond, who left the Sharks in December, which brings his 17-year association with Saracens to an end.

During his time at Saracens the 41-year-old would have worked extensively with Barritt, who retired last year after joining the London club in 2008. That was the same year Sanderson became the club’s forwards coach.

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Shortly after the news was announced on Friday, the former England centre took to Twitter to thank the incoming head of Sale, and praise his dedication.

“THANK YOU AL!” Barritt wrote.

“Words wouldn’t do justice to what Al Sanderson brought to Saracens. A special human in so many ways.
“Tactically a brilliant coach, who’s dedication made him one of the best in the game.
“But if anyone deserves this opportunity, it’s him…

“Thank you for our great times together and wishing you nothing but the best, with your new challenge. I have no doubt you will be an incredible success…”

Having spent the first six years of his playing career with Sale, the five-cap England international joined Saracens in 2004, but was forced to retire in 2005 with a back injury. He joined the coaching team in 2008, finishing his time at Saracens as forwards/defence coach under Mark McCall.

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If Barritt was one of the players that embodied Saracens’ approach on the field over the past decade, Sanderson was one of the driving forces off it. He was the architect of their ‘Wolf Pack’ defence, which helped them win three Heineken Champions Cup titles in the last five years.

Given his credentials as a coach, Barritt is not the only person backing Sanderson to be a success in Manchester.

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TT. 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Agree on Wright, it will be hard to overlook him if he plays at the same level than last year !

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BC1812 1 hour ago
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SB 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

And who would pick at 15 ? Tom Wright ? Harvey ?

13 Go to comments
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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Due to the League’s influence in our opinion ? Too young to recall that sadly…

Aren’t Paisami and Flook leaving Australia this summer ? Crichton could be the solution to a lot of their problems indeed.



...

13 Go to comments
S
SB 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Him and Marky Mark on the wings at the World Cup, aerial kicks galore. Not sure where that leaves Jorgensen though.

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unknown 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

JAS plays at 13 because the Wallabies already have loads of high quality back three players and basically only two other top quality centres (ikitau and Parisian) one of whom is abroad currently and one of whom is heading to Japan (I’ve heard) - so that’s the area of key lack of depth

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NB 3 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Aussie have always had a surfeit of good back three players, more so than centres, even in their best years around 2000-2003… I recall them trying to shoehorn Elton Flatley into 12 for the 2001 Lions series.

They have Paisami, Ikitua and Flook wto work with now, and poss Angus Crichton in future. So I’d ships to 14 or 15 now, with a view to a JAS-Marky-Jordo backfield for the RWC, and poss Lomax in the mix too.



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NB 3 hours ago
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Let’s hope so. Hunter Paisami is having a good season at 12 for the Reds, Len Ikitau is top drawer and Josh Flook at a very smart 13, so there is some material to work with there…

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NB 3 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

They might start him at 14 and then move him to FB once he gets the hang of the backfield pendulum….

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Stephen11 3 hours ago
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I agree, which is why I find it strange that they only refer to part of her heritage. Her mom is also half Cook islander so why not mention that as well?

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