Romiley’s Irene Dixon experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity on Saturday as she helped revive the London 2012 spirit at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.

Lauren Quigley believes her rivals will see a much different athlete next month in Russia to the person who made her World Championships debut two years ago.

After scoring an astonishing 35 goals in 15 games in the Women’s Premier League last season for Blackburn, England Under-17 international Georgia Stanway was courted by Manchester City resulting in a dream move.

George North insists new teammate Michael Paterson, who after two seasons with the Sharks heads south to join up with 2014 champions and last year’s table-toppers Northampton Saints, will have no problem slotting in.

Mahama Cho missed out on selection for London 2012, meaning the forthcoming European Games in Baku from June 12-28 will be his first taste of a major multi-sport event.

Last year Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead cut a frustrated figure when a tactical stalemate saw her miss out on a rainbow jersey at the World Championships – and she’s determined not to see history repeat itself this summer.

Pupils from Cheetham Hill’s Temple Primary School joined England Sevens stars Sam Stanley, Sam Blanchet and Jack Walsh at the Lensbury Club in Teddington as Heathrow Express and the UK Space Agency joined forces to put them through their paces with an education programme called ‘Mission X- Train like an astronaut’.

Oldham’s Kyle Eastmond has a huge international advantage when it comes to his World Cup prospects and that’s his club relationship at Bath with England’s player of the Six Nations Jonathan Joseph, according to midfield rival Manu Tuilagi.