Absolutely. And the men's tournament has already thrown up some surprises so I'll be holding my breath to see who even goes through.

the growth they showed through the tournament was superb! I have high hopes for the men's team too.

to be fair I generally use the other site to catch updates from clubs who aren't so great at using other socials, so quiet isn't necessarily bad by any stretch 😀

Haven't been over here in a while. The other site seems to be ever more a cesspool, but it still seems very quiet over here on the Blue side...

a man and a woman are shaking hands in front of a crowd of people in a theater . ALT: a man and a woman are shaking hands in front of a crowd of people in a theater .

What should we speak of
When we are old as you? When we shall hear
The rain and wind beat dark December, how
In this our pinching cave shall we discourse
The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing.
#Cymbeline #ShakespeareSunday

A view of the Swan theatre and river Avon through the window of a room at the Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon.

It's been a long time since I last did a #ShakespeareSunday post, but when waking up to this view it would seem silly not to!

I don't think it's a bad pick at all. I think they will be right up there and my gut feel is the top three will all be within a few points of each other.

For me I can see a world where they wobble out of the gate (depending on how the World Cup hangover hits them) and this league is so small one wobble can cost a place or two. For what it's worth I think they will still be deadly in the playoffs.

Do you think I've been too kind or too harsh?

Predicting how the PWR will finish this season Bookmark this now so you can remind me how wrong I am...

You're too kind, thanks so much for sharing. I agree with you on the net losses/gains and I've had a punt at guessing where each team will finish the (regular) season here: open.substack.com/pub/pwrpoint...

My latest #PWRPoint is live now sharing a few of the new faces in the league to be excited about for the coming season.
open.substack.com/pub/pwrpoint/p…

Not everything in women's rugby is rosy right now! A stark reminder of the reality many players face

Some of you may have seen former Lightning player Abby Duguid's post on Instagram this morning. It inspired me to write a little post...

open.substack.com/pub/pwrpoint...

A huge thank you to everyone who has already subscribed. Currently working on a few ideas for the next couple of weeks as we wait for the season to start!

PWR Point | Matt Merritt | Substack Previews, reviews and insight into the PWR. Click to read PWR Point, by Matt Merritt, a Substack publication. Launched 18 minutes ago.

There's a dearth of written coverage of the PWR, and that will only become more obvious as journalists who covered the Rugby World Cup all disappear now the tournament is over.
To help plug the gap I'll be writing regularly on a new substack, and I'd love you to check it out!
pwrpoint.substack.com

She's in the Irish guards but I think that is coincidence. I think she just joined them to play some rugby. Has been there a good few years. I saw her play for them in late 2021.

London Irish Emerald too, she's ace

A few people, across various platforms, have asked me where I'll be working for the Rugby World Cup in a few weeks.
Unfortunately the work I was expecting to pick up has fallen through, so I won't be out and about at games, but I'll enjoy the tournament from my sofa.

I was pleasantly surprised it recognised me as human to be honest 😂

at least the face scan doesn't reveal how old it estimates you are... mine was the fastest processing I have ever seen 🤣

Ever have that feeling, when you are coming to the end of a job and just turning up each day feels like a herculean effort?
Would quite like to just go and start my new thing now!

Not sure how it would pan out but a team of prime Ma'a Nonu vs 15 prime Seilala Mapusua would be a fun experiment

Wouldn't be at all surprised if they are holding off to announce on a specific date.

Went to see Jon Batiste last night as part of Meltdown Festival.
Honestly one of the most impactful concerts I have ever seen. The man is phenomenal and the way he melds genres (and songs) has to be witnessed to be understood.

There are few signs that bring me as much joy as this...
Away for the next week, normal business resumes on the 16th.

The full roster for @Adam27Keefe's testimonial is now in place, featuring current and former @BelfastGiants, some NHL stars and a few family members too.

sitinthecheapseats.blogspot.com/2025/05/full...
📸courtesy of Press Eye

Hockey two nights in a row... I could get used to this.

I wouldn't blame you one bit... I still struggle to care a lot of the time since Irish went to the wall.

P.O. Morin departs Belfast Giants for Bordeaux Boxers.
A classy operator and level head on the ice, he'll be missed in Belfast.
#EIHL

Struggled to get invested in any excitement about the Maple Leafs playoff run... but at least that means I'm less upset about last night's result.

Jack Jacome returns for a second season at Guildford Flames.

“He is a guy who puts every bit of energy that he has into every moment of every shift and he generates a lot of success just on sheer effort.” - head coach Paul Dixon

#EIHL
📸: John Uwins