English Rugby Union player Pat Sanderson retires after injury
Former English international Rugby Union player, Pat Sanderson, has announced his retirement from the game after Sanderson broadcast his decision on Friday, August 19.
Sanderson, who is a Worcester Warriors flanker and captain, has been suffering from a shoulder injury and cited the injury as the main reason for his decision to hang up his boots. He added, “The medical advice I have had has also been clear and concise
and helped me make the decision.”
The news came as a disappointment for the Warriors and the loss of the experienced back row forward has dented their preparations for the 2011/12 Aviva Premiership campaign.
Sanderson was phenomenal in leading his side in the 2010/11 RFU Championships, which earned them the entry in the top-level English premiership for 2011/12 season. He injured his shoulder in their playoff match against Bristol in March this year.
Sanderson has expressed his disappointment on his unexpected departure from the game. He added that he is ready to accept the fact that his playing career is over and still believes that a lot is left in him as the player.
Worcester Warriors head coach, Richard Hill, has expressed his displeasure on losing the services of his experienced back row forward on medical grounds. He praised Sanderson’s skills, abilities, attributes and contributions to the club. He added, “Pat's
reputation as a player throughout the game is outstanding and he has been a true leader at Sixways over the years.”
Hill added that Sanderson was one of the fittest players in the club, and was delighted in the manner in which Sanderson took the challenge of mentoring young back row forwards duo of Jake Abbott and Matt Kvesic.
Hill further added, “It is very disappointing for him to have to end his career through injury, when you look at what he has achieved and done for this club and ahead of our return to the Aviva Premiership.” Hill has also praised the role Sanderson has played
for the Warriors even while carrying an injury.
Providing details on the injury, Sanderson added that after spending six months in rehabilitation, he was facing problems in passing the ball and making tackles.
The 33-year-old Sanderson started his professional Rugby Union career with Sale Sharks, in 1997. In two seasons, he made 32 appearances for Sharks and scored 35 points for them. Later, at the start of the 1999/00 season, he joined the Harlequins, and remained
there until the end of the 2003/04 season. During his stay, he made 58 appearances for the Quins and scored 50 points for them. Chester born Sanderson joined the Warriors at the start of the 2004/05 season.
Sanderson made his international debut for the England in 1998. In his international career, the flanker has represented England in 16 international tests and has a try to his name.
He has thanked the fans, management, coaches and the players for their love and support. He added, “I will miss the environment and miss playing rugby, but I plan to keep a close relationship with Warriors.”
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