Winger Edwards signed on at the AJ Bell Stadium on a one-year contract after he impressed in the opening games of the inaugural contest.

For one Rochdale rugby player, tonight’s World Cup opener between England and Fiji carries a level of significance that goes beyond the mere eighty minutes, owing to an association that backdates half a century.

Oldham’s George Ford has held off Owen Farrell to start at 10 for England in tonight’s World Cup opener against Fiji, but this is far from the first time the two have competed head-to-head.

Former South African international Brian Mujati has signed for the Manchester-based Premiership rugby side on a two-year deal from Racing Metro and is set for a home debut this weekend against Leicester in the Kings of the North.

James Mitchell says Sale Sharks will be in the zone when they head to Twickenham Stoop on Friday after sealing their spot in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s final.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset expressed his excitement on Manchester’s role in next year’s championship, which will be hosted in June at Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell stadium alongside Manchester City’s Academy stadium.

Sale Sharks trio Josh Beaumont, Will Addison and Mike Haley cannot wait to start training alongside legendary Irish scrum-half Peter Stringer and former All Blacks lock Bryn Evans when players return from a lengthy post-season break at the end of June.

The ‘Find a Flag’ competition takes place in the city tomorrow, from 9am-9pm, and hopefuls must upload a ‘flag selfie’, to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, using #EmiratesFlag after former England and Sale Sharks player Mark Cueto has hidden it.

One lucky 14-16 year-old will lead the teams out at a Rugby World Cup fixture in Manchester, experiencing first-hand the atmosphere and what it’s like to be a professional rugby player.

Premiership player of year George Ford and Owen Farrell – a British & Irish Lion and still just 23 – will go head-to-head in pursuit of the fly-half starting berth at this year’s World Cup with Danny Cipriani waiting in the wings.

Lymm will be taking part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade of Champions during half-time of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on May 30, having secured their spot at a Sale Sharks festival on October 19.