Saracens defence coach Alex Sanderson is set to replace Steve Diamond as Director of Rugby after the Sale Sharks boss departed the club last month, according to RugbyPass.
Former England head coach Stuart Lancaster and current Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill had been linked with the role.
Diamond, who made 290 appearances for Sale as a player, rejoined the club in January 2011 and has also had spells as the club’s chief executive.
He left the Sharks just three matches into the 2020-21 Premiership season, the team having won two of those games.
His replacement, Sanderson, moved into coaching after being forced to retire in 2005 due to a back injury.
Having made several appearances for Saracens, he remained at the club in a coaching capacity and the club supported his transition whilst he had spells with Queensland Reds and England Under-18s.
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In 2008/09, Sanderson stepped on to the Sarries coaching ladder as the club’s Forwards Coach.
Now under the title of Forwards and Defence Coach, he has transformed the Men in Black’s defence into a formidable force.
As a player, Sanderson was an abrasive back row who won five caps for England, representing Sale Sharks and Sarries at club level.