'I'm not allowed to talk about him getting naked because his grandma had a go at him'

Alex Sanderson has amusingly revealed that his live TV quip about how promising front-rower Bevan Rodd celebrates Sale victories by dancing naked in the dressing room prompted a rebuke for the youngster from his disapproving grandmother.

Sale boss Sanderson was in ebullient form when interviewed last Friday on BT Sport following his team’s Gallagher Premiership win over Harlequins which kept alive their bid to clinch a home semi-final, an ambition that has gone down to the wire with a final round fixture away to Exeter this Saturday.

During the interview, Sanderson dropped the name of Rodd into the conversation when talking about the buoyant mood at Sale where they have been on an encouraging winning streak in a season that has been a breakthrough campaign for the 20-year-old Scottish-born loosehead who has been on the radar for a call-up with Eddie Jones’ England.

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RugbyPass is sharing unique stories from iconic British and Irish Lions tours to South Africa in proud partnership with The Famous Grouse, the Spirit of Rugby

Sanderson had no hesitation in playing up the credentials of the youngster at this week’s Sale media briefing, but he quipped how Rodd was reprimanded by his granny for his dressing room antics. “I’m not allowed to talk about him getting naked because his grandma had a go at him about that post-match. But he doesn’t mind, he doesn’t mind getting his kit off and he is quite a good mover with it. He is quite handsome for a big lad.

“He is a bit of a talent. He is a rare talent for someone being as young as he is and being able to hold that side of the scrum up but it is his work around the field that sets him apart for front-rowers, for looseheads.

Alex Sanderson has been colourfully savouring the emergence of youthful front-rowers at Sale, insisting the future is very bright at the Premiership clubhttps://t.co/UcoIzj2taJ

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 27, 2021

“He is brilliant over the ball, he has got a deft touch in terms of his distribution and it showed last week that when he puts his mind to it he can carry over the gain line. He scored a try last week. So I’m not putting limits on how far Bev can get better… I hope he gets the opportunity so he can show (Matt) Proudfoot and Jones the calibre he is which is a rare talent and a rare individual. He is a rare breed.   

Set to turn 21 in August, Rodd has played 809 minutes in his 18 Premiership appearances this season. He has made 67 metres from 37 carries, made 96 tackles, won nine turnovers and beaten six defenders but on the debit side, he has conceded 24 penalties, 22 of them in defence. 

A story from Bloemfontein that should spice up the already intriguing Premiership title race https://t.co/YpkUDEBPjB

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 9, 2021