Alex Sanderson
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Personal information | ||
---|---|---|
Full name | Alex Sanderson | |
Date of birth | 7 October 1979 | |
Place of birth | Chester, Cheshire, England | |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | |
Weight | 16 st 1 lb (102 kg) | |
Nickname(s) | Sanders, Sando | |
School(s) attended | Kirkham Grammar School | |
Relatives | Pat Sanderson | |
Club information | ||
Position(s) | ||
Current club | Retired | |
Youth clubs | ||
Years | Club | |
Littleborough RUFC | ||
Senior clubs* | ||
Years | Club | Apps (points) |
xxxx ‐ 04 2004 ‐ 05 |
Sale Sharks Saracens |
|
Representative teams | ||
2001-2004 | England | 5 (5) |
* Professional club appearances and points |
Alexander Sanderson (born in 7 October 1979 in Chester) is a former English rugby union footballer who played in the back row for Saracens and Sale Sharks. He is the brother of Pat Sanderson who also played rugby for Littleborough RUFC.
His rugby career blossomed under coach Brian Gornall at Kirkham Grammar School. His first Sale coach, John Mitchell, also had a great influence on him as did Steve Diamond and Jim Mallinder, both of whom he played alongside when he broke into the first team.
Alex Sanderson was the youngest player to be appointed as captain of the Sale Sharks at the age of 20. He scored a try on his England debut against Romania in November 2001, having captained the England midweek side in North America soon after being selected for the England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham. He made his Six Nations debut as a replacement against Italy in March 2003 and was part of the wider 43 man squad for the World Cup, playing in the pre World Cup warm up matches against Wales and France in Marseille.
He was forced to retire from rugby in 2005 due to a back injury.