Alex Sanderson has been urged to stay at Saracens and reject any approach to be England’s next defence coach but his current director of rugby, Mark McCall, will not stand in his way if Eddie Jones comes calling.
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Sanderson has been linked with the vacant England position but McCall believes the 38-year-old should be “the only candidate” to be Saracens’ next director of rugby.
Sanderson was in the frame to join England in late 2015 and has history with Jones, who appointed him to his Saracens coaching staff in 2008, having already taken him to the Queensland Reds for a season. Ultimately however, Paul Gustard, who was also working at Saracens at the time, was appointed but with England’s current defence coach leaving for Harlequins, after the South Africa tour, Sanderson has emerged as a candidate again.
No approach has yet been made for Sanderson but McCall – who confirmed Billy Vunipola will be fit for Saturday’s Premiership final against Exeter – conceded Saracens have become a production line for England coaches with Andy Farrell, Rory Teague and Ian Vass all leaving for the RFU in recent years.
Asked if he would be happy to see Sanderson join England, McCall said: “Not really no. It’ll be Alex’s decision that’s for sure. Alex contributes so much to this club, he’s not just a defence coach, he’s way more than that. He’s a brilliant coach. He knows he’s in a great place and a great job, and he’s in no rush as far as I can see.
“He should be the director of rugby at this club at some point. And I hope that’s what he wants to do. If I am told to leave or leave, then Alex should be the only candidate for the job.”