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Video: Clip shows new Sale boss Alex Sanderson delivering inspired introductory speech to his squad

(Photo by Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images)

Sale Sharks fans have reacted favourably to a short teaser video showing Alex Sanderson, their newly appointed director of rugby, addressing the squad at their training ground dome in Carrington. The appointment of long-serving Saracens assistant Sanderson, a former Sale forward, to succeed Steve Diamond was confirmed last Friday to much acclaim.

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An ex-England back row who was capped on five occasions, Sanderson retired in 2005 with a back injury and went into coaching at Saracens where his departure will be keenly felt according to former player Jim Hamilton.

“I’m gutted. Alex Sanderson to Sale is huge for Sale. Alex Sanderson for me is the biggest loss at Saracens bar an Owen Farrell or a Maro Itoje just because of what he brings to the environment,” said Hamilton about the 41-year-old Mancunian.

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“Hands down, he is one of the most engaging coaches I have ever worked with and for. So, so positive when refocusing the team.”

Sale fans were given a glimpse of how Sanderson is going about his business at the Sharks, posting a one-minute video titled ‘A New Era’ which came with an upbeat backing track that rose to a booming crescendo at the finish.

Filmed from distance, it can be difficult to make out exactly what Sanderson is telling his attentive Sale squad but the gist of his core values presentation went along these lines. “I have just come home,” said Sanderson, standing up and walking while he was talking.

“So to give you an idea of what those values are, it’s about honesty. Like, I value honesty in all our communications and I know honesty takes trust and trust takes time but we have got time so we will get there.

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“Hard work… as I said before, I’m not a workaholic, you don’t have to worry about that. I have my beach holidays. I won’t wait for you to come out Sundays but I know everything we can achieve here, everything great and lasting is going to take hard work.”

The clip has so far had in excess of 30,000 views via Twitter and has courted universal approval from viewers. “If Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday was northern,” quipped one Sale fan. “There speaks a leader. Can’t wait” was another response as were “Where do I sign? Love to play for this guy. Really would” and “I’m ready to walk through a wall now myself.”

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Jon 4 hours ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

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