Worcester Warriors have received a massive boost on the eve of the European Challenge Cup final with the news that Pat Sanderson has agreed to captain the club once again in the 2008/09 season.
Talismanic skipper Sanderson, who joined Warriors in 2004, has been Sixways Stadium skipper for the last four top-flight campaigns and helped steered the club into the showpiece final with Bath Rugby at Kingsholm on Sunday.
An intelligent and hard-working back row player, Sanderson has led from the front both on and off the field and is set to play his 93rd game for the club in the cup final.
“We are delighted to announce that Pat Sanderson has agreed to captain the Warriors again next season,” said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.
“Pat has led the side for the last four years and we are very confident that he will produce the exceptional leadership characteristics that have typified his term as club captain again next season. He is a true Warrior who always leads from the front and puts his body on the line time after time.
“He has proven himself as a fantastic leader and the fact that he has captained Warriors for an extended period of time, as well as becoming an England captain, only highlights his quality as a leadership figure.
“We have great ambitions for Warriors next season and beyond and there is no doubt that having Pat Sanderson as captain will give us every opportunity to achieve our goals.”
Sanderson, who has scored nine tries in 28 appearances this season, said: “I have always been deeply honoured to be given the captain’s role at Worcester Warriors and I’m very pleased that I have been given the opportunity to continue that role again next season.
“These are very exciting times, both on and off the field, at Warriors under the excellent guidance of Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock and his backroom team and with the vision of our Chairman Cecil Duckworth.
“I’m confident that next season we will really show the rest of the Guinness Premiership that we mean business and the performances on the field of the players will reflect our passion, dedication and belief in this club and where we are going.”