Northern Ireland and Leeds Rhinos netball head coach Dan Ryan is impressed with London Pulse's performance at yesterday's season opener in Birmingham. 

Pulse won 53-51 against Scotland's only professional side, Strathclyde Sirens. 

The franchise have changed their set-up after finishing bottom in the Vitality Superleague last season. But newly-appointed head coach Samantha Bird has signed several new players for the 2020 season. 

Ryan said: "What they've done with the recruitment of Sam Bird, who I think is a really nice fit, is be able to attract some really good local talent who are the next generation of English netball.

"There's a really good identity about London Pulse now but also a really diverse, eclectic and international flavour.

"I think that they might be one of the movers in the competition. As the season progresses, they will continually get better and better because of the youth on their side and they have some nice experience in there as well."

Pulse will next face Surrey Storm away in round two of the Vitality Netball Superleague.