English Rugby World Cup organisers’ worst nightmare has come true: the Red Rose are the first host nation to leave its own tournament in the group stages.

Sale Sharks look set to climb the Aviva Premiership Rugby table this season and Mark Easter is convinced that a talented young core have them set to thrive for years to come.

Last weekend more than 125,000 people came to Manchester to watch both codes of rugby, at long last a chance for union to sell itself to the typically league-loving North.

Attention may be focussed on England’s premature exit from World Cup 2015 but for RFU development director Steve Grainger the introduction of rugby into previously non-playing schools demonstrates the lasting legacy of the tournament.

Sale Sharks scored their first bit of silverware in nine years despite a heavy defeat to Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Sale will face Leicester Tigers on Saturday needing to take just one point from the clash to clinch their first piece of silverware in nine years.

Hendre Fourie has swapped the pitch for the classroom to deliver engaging sessions combining the sport of rugby with basic financial education with Number Cruncherz.

To mark the World Cup clash between England and Uruguay in Manchester this weekend, a brand new sport held its inaugural contest at the Chill Factore: Rugski.

Sale Sharks’ third straight victory in the Kings of the North tournament leaves them top of the table and needing only one point to secure the title.

Blackley youngster Nathan Davis-Garbutt admits he will never forget his moment in the spotlight after getting the chance to run out as one of Land Rover’s Rugby World Cup 2015 official mascots.

Ahead of the Pool A grudge match between England and Wales, MM casts an eye back at some of the most memorable encounters between the two sides over the years.