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• Pat Sanderson

Pat Sanderson insists all thoughts of England's World Cup campaign will be put on the back-burner with the new Guinness Premiership season set to get underway.

Sanderson is the man in possession as regards the England captaincy having led the ultimately disappointing summer tour to Australia.

Although a number of senior players, including Martin Corry, were rested for that trip, the Worcester back-row star will still have his sights set on retaining the skipper's role for next year's World Cup in France.

However, he insists his focus is now entirely trained on domestic duties, of the opinion that his England career will take care of itself on the back of good club form.

"The World Cup doesn't have any relevance to the Premiership at the moment, it won't make it more competitive this season," said Sanderson.

"Everyone just has to concentrate on the next game.

"I'm keen to hang onto the England captaincy but the only way I can do that is by holding onto my place in the team at Worcester."