Despite Sale Sharks recently being crowned Kings of the North, as well as George Ford and Owen Farrell both hailing from these parts, there is a tangible difference between rugby in the North West and the rest of the country.

MM reporters have come together to produce Mancunian Natters, a sports podcast looking at the sport that gets the city talking.

Neil Briggs’ return was confirmed in January when, after four years away from Sale Sharks where he played for six seasons from 2005, including stints at Bourgoin and Leicester, he had little hesitation in deciding he wanted another slice of life in the North West.

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.

A day after England brought the Rugby World Cup to Manchester, the next generation of talent were proving the future is indeed bright as Sale Sharks hosted their Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

Danny Cipriani is refusing to give up on his dream of international rugby and insists he’s still very much gunning for the England No.10 jersey.

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.

When Terry Flanagan floored Diego Magdaleno for the third time in the opening two rounds to successfully defend his WBO Lightweight world title on Saturday night, Manchester’s growing reputation for boxing excellence was firmly underscored.

Brad Barritt believes that The RFU’s All Schools programme is beneficial to the North West, and not just in terms of the increased pool of talent emerging from the area.

England may be out of the World Cup but former internationals are hoping fans will get behind the many countries that are still represented in the Sale Sharks changing room.