Worcester Warriors back row and former England international captain Pat Sanderson has today announced his retirement from professional rugby.
The talismanic former Sixways skipper joined the club in 2004 and led the team for six seasons in the top-flight of English rugby. The 33-year-old played a total of 156 games for Warriors during seven seasons, scoring 24 tries.
However, he has now been forced to end his playing career on medical grounds after suffering a serious shoulder injury in the RFU Championship play-offs against Bristol Rugby in March.
Sanderson joined Warriors after previous playing spells at Sale and Harlequins and quickly became an instrumental figure at the club. The back row – captain between 2004 and 2010 – started every top-flight game in his first season with the club and was later nominated for the Zurich Player of the Season and the PRA Players’ Player of the Year.
An intelligent, skillful and hard-working player, Sanderson always led from the front – both on and off the field – and during the 2009/10 season joined an exclusive club as he celebrated his 200th top-flight appearance.
Sanderson’s outstanding contribution during his time at Sixways was rewarded with 16 full England caps. He captained his country during the 2006 Australia tour and was in charge of the triumphant Churchill Cup squad in Canada in 2005.
Sanderson’s contribution to rugby is not just limited to action on the field. He has been heavily involved with the players’ union, the RPA, and was enlisted by the RFU as a figurehead for their ‘Core Values of Rugby’ initiative due to his standing in the game.
Head Coach Richard Hill paid tribute to Sanderson’s contribution at Warriors and said: “Pat’s reputation as a player throughout the game is outstanding and he has been a true leader at Sixways over the years.”