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Alex Sanderson, Sale Sharks director of rugby
Photo: RugbyPass / Getty

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby

Alex Sanderson

Role
Director of Rugby
Team
Sale Sharks
Nationality
English
Age
47
In charge since
Jan 2021
Matches
37
Record W-D-L
14-0-23
Win rate
37.8%
Latest news

Record in our match database since Sep 2025

as of
  • 37 Matches
  • 14 Won
  • 0 Drawn
  • 23 Lost
  • 37.8% Win rate

Alex Sanderson has overseen 37 completed Sale Sharks matches in our database since September 2025 — 14 won, 0 drawn, 23 lost. That is a 37.8% win rate, with 978 points scored and 1200 conceded.

Records are computed from the WeTalkRugby match database and cover matches we hold data for within this tenure. They are not an official all-time record.

Record by competition

— means no data from the provider
Alex Sanderson, record by competition in our match database
CompetitionPWDLWin %PFPA
All matches · Sale Sharks All competitions371402337.8%9781200
Premiership Sep 2025 – Oct 202621701433.3%597677
Premiership Rugby Cup Sep 2025 – Sep 20261040640.0%253336
Champions Cup Dec 2025 – Apr 2026630350.0%128187

Last five matches

  1. Won v Harlequins 28–24 Premiership ·
  2. Won v Saracens 21–17 Premiership ·
  3. Lost v Bristol Bears 24–34 Premiership ·
  4. Lost v Gloucester Rugby 26–43 Premiership Rugby Cup ·
  5. Won v Bath Rugby 50–28 Premiership Rugby Cup ·

Every match in our database

37 matches
Premiership 21P · 7W · 0D · 14L
  1. Won v Harlequins 28–24
  2. Won v Saracens 21–17
  3. Lost v Bristol Bears 24–34
  4. Won v Bristol Bears 38–17
  5. Lost v NewCastle RedBulls 42–45
  6. Lost v Leicester Tigers 33–47
  7. Lost v Gloucester Rugby 15–21
  8. Won v Harlequins 52–33
  9. Lost v Saracens 19–85
  10. Lost v Bath Rugby 26–31
  11. Lost v Exeter Chiefs 14–26
  12. Lost v Northampton Saints 29–43
  13. Lost v Bristol Bears 17–19
  14. Won v Harlequins 43–17
  15. Lost v Northampton Saints 21–47
  16. Lost v Exeter Chiefs 26–27
  17. Lost v Leicester Tigers 35–36
  18. Lost v Saracens 14–65
  19. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 57–5
  20. Lost v Bath Rugby 16–28
  21. Won v Gloucester Rugby 27–10
Premiership Rugby Cup 10P · 4W · 0D · 6L
  1. Lost v Gloucester Rugby 26–43
  2. Won v Bath Rugby 50–28
  3. Won v Bristol Bears 41–36
  4. Lost v Gloucester Rugby 17–43
  5. Lost v Bath Rugby 19–60
  6. Lost v Exeter Chiefs 14–59
  7. Lost v Bath Rugby 0–20
  8. Won v Exeter Chiefs 34–3
  9. Lost v Gloucester Rugby 28–29
  10. Won v Bristol Bears 24–15
Champions Cup 6P · 3W · 0D · 3L
  1. Lost v Leinster 13–43
  2. Won v Harlequins 26–17
  3. Lost v Toulouse 7–77
  4. Won v Sharks 26–10
  5. Won v Clermont 35–14
  6. Lost v Glasgow Warriors 21–26

Career

  • Sale Sharks Director of Rugby 2021– 37 matches in our data

Honours

  • European Rugby Champions Cup (Saracens, assistant coach) 2016, 2017, 2019
  • Premiership title (Saracens, assistant coach) 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019

About Alex Sanderson

Alex Sanderson is the director of rugby at Sale Sharks, a Saracens dynasty architect and man-manager who survived a brutal 2025–26 season.

Alex Sanderson is Director of Rugby at Sale Sharks, in post since January 2021 and contracted to the end of the 2026–27 season.

Born in Chester in October 1979, he was a back-row forward for Sale and then Saracens, before a chronic back injury forced him to retire in 2005 at just 25. He won five England caps between 2001 and 2003, scoring on debut against Romania.

The Saracens years

He joined the Saracens coaching staff in 2008, progressing from forwards coach to forwards and defence coach, and became a central figure in the club’s dynasty — widely credited with building both their defensive system and much of their culture. He was part of staff for five Premiership titles and three Champions Cups, all as an assistant.

Sale

He replaced Steve Diamond in 2021 and took Sale to the 2023 Premiership final and three consecutive top-four finishes. The 2025–26 season was the opposite: he sacked his own head coach appointment Marco Bortolami after six months, Sale won three of thirteen at one stage and lost 85–19 at home to Saracens, and his position was openly reported as under review. He survived.

Style

A man-management and culture specialist above all — players routinely say they would run through walls for him — technically rooted in defence and the breakdown, playing a forward-heavy, low-error territorial game. He has not won a trophy as a head coach or director.

As a player Back-row forward. Sale Sharks and then Saracens, before a chronic back injury forced him to retire in 2005 at 25. Five England caps between 2001 and 2003, scoring on debut against Romania.

Latest on Sanderson

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Players under Alex Sanderson

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the director of rugby of Sale Sharks?

Alex Sanderson is the director of rugby of Sale Sharks.

When did Alex Sanderson take charge?

Alex Sanderson took over at Sale Sharks in January 2021, around 5 years ago.

What is Alex Sanderson's record?

From 37 matches in our database: 14 wins, 0 draws and 23 defeats — a 37.8% win rate.

What nationality is Alex Sanderson?

Alex Sanderson is English.

How old is Alex Sanderson?

Alex Sanderson is 47 years old.

What has Alex Sanderson won?

Honours include: European Rugby Champions Cup (Saracens, assistant coach) (2019), European Rugby Champions Cup (Saracens, assistant coach) (2017), European Rugby Champions Cup (Saracens, assistant coach) (2016), Premiership title (Saracens, assistant coach) (2019), Premiership title (Saracens, assistant coach) (2018).