Sanderson has captained Worcester for five years

Relegation must become a learning experience for Worcester Warriors, according to skipper Pat Sanderson.

Speaking after Warriors lost their vital match at Leeds, Sanderson told BBC Hereford and Worcester the club has to move on and look ahead.

"What we have to do is make sure we deal with this the right way, and that we respond the right way," he said.

"We must take every positive we can out of it, reflect on ourselves and ensure we are better for the experience."

Sanderson, who missed the crunch game at Headingley with a shoulder injury, said his team-mates gave everything to try and keep Worcester in the top flight.

What is most important for us as a team and my friends in that changing room is how we deal with this Worcester captain Pat Sanderson

"There's a lot of endeavour and heart gone into this place to get us where we are. This is a hammer blow and it's difficult to take," he said.

"What is most important for us as a team and my friends in that changing room is how we deal with this.

"We will learn more from relegation than we will in any other way, it's when you are at your lowest that you find out the most about yourself.

"I have no doubt the people in that (dressing) room will deal with it in the right way and we'll be back."

The club has also told BBC Hereford and Worcester it is going to launch an investigation into an incident at the end of the game at Headingley.

When the Warriors went over to thank their fans at the end of the match, flanker Chris Crackell appeared to become involved in a scuffle with a spectator.

The club said it currently had no comment to make.

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