When asked how he was finding the business side of the game in his first role as director of rugby, Sanderson said the emotional impact of pandemic on players, the clubs’ dispute with agents and the reduction of the salary cap was making life more difficult regarding recruitment and retention of players.

“The first factor is that during Covid people have looked at their lives and some are coming to a realisation that they want different things. Then there is the on-going legal battle between Premiership Rugby and the agents over agents fees,” he said.

“There has been poorer and less communication and transparency.

“Some relationships have been lost in all that and that makes it difficult because that is how agents make their money. It is in their own personal selfish interest to move players at the moment. They are doing that to keep their livelihoods.”

Players’ representatives usually take a commission of between five and 10 per cent from each contract, which is usually paid over the course of said employment period and comes in addition to the contract itself.

These payments have traditionally been handled by Premiership clubs, but the 13 clubs united in showing resistance in June when they demanded it should be the players who pay. That stance has resulted in a stand-off between the clubs and agents.

Sanderson added: “The last thing is that the salary cap as you know has come down from eight to five million. And there is a 25 per cent reduction. They are three huge factors which have created difficulties for all clubs. I have walked straight into that as a fresher.”

There has also been speculation over Rugby World Cup winning Springbok Lood de Jager’s future at the club. Sanderson explained he had fallen into the category of a player re-thinking his future due to the pandemic and that talks were on-going.

“Lood is an on-going discussion and is a marquee player. It is not even about salary cap with Lood. Lood who is someone who has struggled with Covid, going back home seeing his dad who is getting on a bit. We are still in discussions with Lood as to whether he can be happy. If anyone is not content; you are not going to get the best out of Lood. That is as yet unconfirmed.”