Pat Sanderson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patrick Harold Sanderson (born in 6 September 1977 in Chester) is a rugby union footballer who plays at flanker for Worcester Warriors. He is the brother of Alex Sanderson.
His early rugby union career blossomed at Kirkham Grammar School and included his first international cap for the England 16 Group Schools team. He joined Manchester Sale (now Sale Sharks) in 1996 and was capped by England U21s and England A. He moved to NEC Harlequins where he played in the 2001 Powergen Cup final, when Quins lost to Newcastle Falcons by 30-27.
Pat was first capped on England’s 1998 southern hemisphere tour as a 20-year-old, facing New Zealand twice and South Africa, and he won another three caps on the 2001 tour to North America.
At the end of the 2003-04 season he moved to newly promoted Worcester Warriors, as captain, he was instrumental in ensuring the Warriors remained in the Premiership. He started every Premiership game last in 2004/5 and Pat was nominated for Zurich Player of the Season 2004-05 and the PRA Players’ Player of the Year. This consistency resulted in an England recall for the Autumn test opener against Australia in November 2005.
Sanderson is also a high-calibre sevens player, having made his debut back in 1997 in Hong Kong. In 2003-04 he played in six of the IRB World Series rounds including the three wins in South Africa, Hong Kong and London. He also helped England win the prestigious Hong Kong event. In 2002 he was also a member of England’s Commonwealth Games squad in Manchester.
Pat is the Chairman of the Professional Rugby Players’ Association and he is well placed to understand the problems players face, particularly with injuries. A fractured shoulder, two damaged knees and prolapsed disc have all kept him out of the game at different stages.
