Sale Sharks have been chosen as a centre of English rugby excellence.

The Sharks have been chosen to operate one of 12 new regional academies that will groom future England players by monitoring their progress through their teens.

Heywood Road will become the North West Academy and Sale Sharks managing director Carl Fox spoke of it being a major step forward for the game in this region.

Until now a system hasn't been in place to identify talent and bring it through to the national side.

And, as a region, the North West has suffered from a drift further south by young players chasing glory.

With the Sharks able to offer Premiership rugby it was the ideal choice for one of the new academies. Others have already been established at Newcastle Falcons and Leeds Tykes.

Fox said: ''The academy won't just work at improving player skills but will also concentrate on aspects such as physical and mental conditioning, lifestyles and education.''

The Sale Sharks academy will recruit from existing clubs, schools, county development squads, age group festivals and by direct referral.

The academy will be officially launched at Heywood Road on Monday.

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