Pioneering ocean-hopping rugby league team Toronto Wolfpack will make Manchester their home away from home — by using Manchester Metropolitan University’s Platt Lane Sports Complex as their UK training base.

Canada’s first professional rugby league side will compete next season in the Kingstone Press Championship, the second tier of British rugby league, after winning automatic promotion as champions from the division below with two games remaining.

As the world’s first transatlantic sports franchise, Toronto Wolfpack play blocks of back-to-back away league matches during extended stays on British soil as part of a unique fixture arrangement to minimise disruption and travel costs for them and opponents.

The club will use Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield, south Manchester, as their full-time base between home games in Toronto.

Players and backroom staff will have access to not only the 3G pitch but also the strength and conditioning suite, physio room, video analysis equipment and lounge.

Brian Noble, Toronto Wolfpack’s Director of Rugby, said: “Manchester Metropolitan’s first-class facilities are on a par with the best in the game and we’re excited to see what opportunities this partnership with bring for our players.

“As one of the finest universities in the UK, Manchester Metropolitan’s expertise, support and knowledge will be extremely valuable to us.

“There’s never been a better time for Toronto and Manchester to be collaborating – and as two pioneering organisations, I predict the year ahead to be very, very exciting.”

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