Category Archives: rugby

Paul Tupai, in perpetuity

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Sam Roberts

The Scrum Bar at Goldington Road in Bedford, a place where the past alights. The walls are adorned with photographs of XVs stretching back generations. Sons and fathers; grandfathers before them. Hundreds of men, facing the camera with the same … Continue reading →

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Return of Premiership: how will your team do?

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Sam Roberts

Predictions, moi? I can tell you that this Aviva Premiership is rightfully the most anticipated in recent memory but am loathed to wager much else. There are too many good sides in England’s top flight. The quality has never been … Continue reading →

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Let me be your fantasy

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Sam Roberts

First of all, this isn’t some advertorial. Fantasy Rugby Draft (FRD) is a commercial enterprise and even though it’s free to play, it is still a business. I was introduced to it by a friend last season and as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy Sport, rugby, Sport | 4 Comments

The Offside Law and Me

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Sam Roberts

This is a curious article and one that associates itself with the minutiae and ridiculousness of rugby laws. It’s a little bit geeky, so I’ll understand if you don’t want to stick around. There’s Wimbledon, Donald Trump Jr, Love Island, … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a feint

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Sam Roberts

I have questions regarding the First Lions Test of 2017. Although, they are mostly for myself. About hope and shouting loudly at the TV in front of my children. There are things I need to do better. I’m working on … Continue reading →

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The Lions Sleep Tonight

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Sam Roberts

It is the night before, the morning after. I hope you are reading this then. Not after the fact. The reality is rarely as good as the promise. Sleeping Lions dream, and here we are, in Britain and Ireland, about … Continue reading →

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Promises, Promises

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Sam Roberts

What a time to exist. This last week has, amazingly, trumped much of what has come before. I mean, a man celebrated losing a general election by high-fiving a middle-aged woman’s tit. Politically, we are very drunk. Staggering left and … Continue reading →

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Out of the pit

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Sam Roberts

There are moments in sport that seem mapped out. As though the capricious nature on which the discipline has sold itself, has stepped aside. And so it was for the Aviva Premiership semi-final at Sandy Park. With just minutes on … Continue reading →

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A Prem XV that was good to watch…

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Sam Roberts

‘Tis the season to put teams out. So here you go. You can probably argue a better player in each position, but you can’t argue with the fact that I enjoyed watching them. Delighted to hear your favourite Aviva Premiership … Continue reading →

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The Team That Eddie Forgot

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Sam Roberts

Lions and England squad selections for this summer are spoken. The dust has settled. There have been some notable and pleasing inclusions. And yet for every Kyle Sinckler, there is a sinkhole; an equal and opposite reaction to being selected. … Continue reading →

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