ALEX Sanderson, the younger brother of Warriors captain Pat, has quit professional rugby because of persistent injury problems.

The 26-year-old Saracens flanker has missed much of the last two seasons through injury and although he returned to action to make six appearances at the start of the current campaign, he's taken the decision to retire because of a long-term back injury.

Now Sanderson will join the Saracens coaching staff, concentrating on contact skills and working with the squad on other areas of the game such as rucking and mauling.

"It's a massive disappointment," he said. "But this is something which has been with me for the last 20 months or so.

"I always knew that the end was around the corner, I had just hoped it wasn't going to be so soon. It's a chronic problem that isn't going to get better, but when you have to make the decision, it still comes as a shock."