The England Netball team are returning to Manchester city centre for another big international tie at the AO Arena.
With two more tournaments on the horizon, the Vitality Roses will be hitting the road once again to play a trio of matches between two old Imperial nations ahead of the 23rd edition Commonwealth Games getting underway next summer.
As part of the 2025 Vitality International Test Series, England will be facing back-to-back face-offs with New Zealand over the course of less than a week at two different venues, and one of them is our very own AO Arena.
While the final details and timings are still subject to change, the Roses will face NZ – currently the second best rated team on the planet – later this year.
Taking place this winter and spread across the span of four days, England are set for a weekend double-header at the Copperbox Arena in London (15-16 November), before heading up North to 0161 on Wednesday, 19 November for the closer in Manchester.
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Currently ranked fourth themselves in the World Netball world rankings, England enter these series following a successful international season last term, which saw them lift their inaugural Vitality Netball Nations Cup, beating current world number ones Australia for just the third time in history.
The games against the ‘Silver Ferns’ will also serve as a rigorous rehearsal for the second annual Vitality Netball Horizon Series, where they’ll play four more games with Jamaica; a pair will be held at the Coppebox and the final two will be played away in Kingston.
Last year’s tournament came to the AO as well, with England losing to the Jamaicans by 61-53 in the decisive match. Safe to say there are scores to be settled, and they will be even more prepared for the multiple rematches.
A Nations Cup to their name will certainly help boost confidence.
Jess Thirlby, head coach of the Vitality Roses, is already getting hyped up ahead of the competition.
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“Securing high-level, high-intensity series against the world’s best teams is always top of the agenda, not least as we build towards a back-to-back major tournament year with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 and the Netball World Cup in Sydney in 2027 just around the corner.
“We have both a long-standing rivalry with Jamaica, which we saw the renewal of last year in the hotly contested Vitality Netball Horizon Series, and a more recent competitive rivalry between ourselves and the Silver Ferns, serving up many tight contests.
“Both series will help test us and enhance our preparations for 2026, whilst also allowing our athletes to make their mark in front of our incredible fans.”
VITALITY INTERNATIONAL SERIES 🏀 ROSES VS SILVER FERNS!
Presale tickets will be available to Three+ mobile members from 10am on Tuesday, 5 August, via the venue’s own early access window from the same time on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, general admission goes live from Thursday, 7 August, with tickets once again for what is set to be an exciting day of family-friendly sporting action available from 10am.
Featured Images — Press images/AO Arena (supplied)
Sport
Sale Sharks are pioneering an inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks are currently pioneering a heartwarming and, crucially, inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome.
The native organisation has always been good at working across the local community, but this is the kind of grassroots sports backing that we want to see more of across the region.
Working in collaboration with PREM Rugby and the Premiership Women’s division, Sale Sharks spawned the important scheme just a few short years ago, dubbing it the Crusaders Fins Club (CFC).
Driven by the overarching theme of ‘belonging’, these sessions are now happening every other Sunday at the club’s High Performance Training Centre over in Carrington.
Today we’re celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in creating social connection
— Sale Sharks Foundation (@SaleSharksFdn) March 21, 2026
In its simplest terms, this increasingly popular and important bi-weekly programme is a dedicated tag rugby team for individuals with Down’s Syndrome who love the sport.
Not just inspired by but named in memory of Sean Browne – a beloved player and Sharks fan whose favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – isn’t just about playing, but fundamentally helping those involved “become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.”
Sean sadly passed away at the age of just 32, but he touched so many people’s lives in and around the club, as well as across the Greater Manchester rugby scene, and now his legacy lives on through CFC.
Prior to it being founded back in 2020, there wasn’t any accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions, but now families from all over the North West and even beyond travel to take part, with at least nineteen regular participants attending each and every session.
One of those is 27-year-old James, who said of CFC: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
It also goes without saying that, besides serving as a key outlet and extended support network for those involved, it also provides them with purpose, a safe space to be themselves and enjoy the game, as well as the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
Sharks Foundation CEO, Abi Dean, added: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging.”
“With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
This weekend, specifically (27–29 March), round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and round 16 of the PWR will see their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game, celebrating work like that done by the Sale Sharks Foundation with the Crusaders squad.
It also served as a reminder to fans that in the world of rugby, “everyone is welcome, and anyone can play”. You can find out more right HERE.
Owen Trout to leave Leigh Leopards at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Leigh Leopards star Owen Trout is officially set to leave at the end of the season after lots of interest around the world.
The 26-year-old has garnered plenty of suitors over the past couple of years, helping lead the Leopards to their best finish to date in Super League history last term.
With that in mind, some would argue it was only a matter of time before he was snapped up, becoming just the latest UK talent to make the move to Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL).
Announcing his exit on Thursday, 26 March, Trout will soon be swimming in Shark-infested waters, as he is set to join Sydney’s suburban side, Cronulla.
England international Owen Trout will take his talents from the Super League to the NRL in 2027 after signing a two-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks ✍️ https://t.co/GYqh6mD23P
Putting pen to paper on a two-year contract, the new Cronulla Sharks signing will get going in the NRL next year, but still has plenty of work to do for the remainder of his time in Leigh.
2026 may not have seen his best performances so far, but the Leopards as a whole haven’t been at their best domestically, either.
With just a couple of points to their name after five games, the next couple of weeks are a real opportunity to put together a proper run of form.
In addition to facing Toulouse this weekend, they’ve also got a North West double bill coming up against Warrington Wolves, who they’ll face in the league and the Challenge Cup quarter-final.
As for Trout himself, having made his England Rugby League debut this past October, he only came off the bench, but many national team followers made it clear they believe he should be in contention for a starting place.
Personality-wise, he’ll also be a big miss for the Super League in general, as he won over plenty of fans by shedding light on men’s mental health with Movember.
Speaking on the signing, Cronulla Sharks GM Darren Mooney said in an official statement: “Owen’s style of play is well-suited for success in the NRL, and we believe he is at the right stage of his career to make the move.
“He still has a job to do at Leigh, and our focus is firmly on the current NRL season, but we look forward to welcoming him to the club in due course.”
The Wakefield-born player has been hailed not only for his natural traits but versality, having played in both the front and second row, and that’s a particular level of utility that the Greater Manchester outfit will be hoping to find again elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in other British rugby league news, another big exit has been confirmed as Salford RLFC boss officially departed the team earlier this week.
Danny Jones -
29th July 2025 
