Cast - none of them had clearly seen, let alone played rugby before, so why they were cast in a film where this is focus is beyond me. Neil Morrisey was great in men behaving but cannot pull off being a yokel who sits in the pub all day, and Samantha Janus, a clear attempt to save the film with the injection of a bit of sexual tension, is completely inappropriate and has a large bottom. She is not at all sexy and just comes across as rather pathetic.

Writing - story is absurd. The idea that a bunch of unfit chain smoking and drinking yokels could defeat a highly trained side is ridiculous. Plus, it is illegal for mixed full contact rugby to be played over the age of thirteen. Having played some rugby myself and watching the directing, it is clear that anyone of the team could have been put out of action by one tackle, but a girl could have been put in hospital. The directing of the action scenes is awful, as the game is played so slowly, the play is completely unrealistic and people jog in tries. The idea that some who had England trials could have dropped to such a level is laughable. The cuts are poor, and the acting is awful, punctuacted by a lot of unecessary swearing and aggression.

Rather than being a good depiction of, I found this film an insult to the rugby world, clearly low budget and poorly directed, and how it got any good reviews is a complete mystery to me.


The 90s Experience   January 4, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The film goes towards forming a body of work which epitomised the mid Nineties...lots of beer,a superb 90s soundtrack,hugely enjoyable story and Samantha Janus ....need I say more.


LOVE RUGBY LEAGUE...LOVE THIS!!   December 10, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Being a fan of Rugby League I had to say that it was great to watch a cracking Rugby League film. It had everything - Humour, Neil Morrisey and even some great rugby skills. Oh and for all you Saints fans - the one and only Adam Foggerty!!!! What more could you ask for.
A must see and a must have! Buy it! You wont be sorry!


Enjoyable feel-good comedy. Acute observation of rugby types   September 30, 2001
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

A very enjoyable feel good comedy with a rugby league seven a side background. John Godber has adapted his play for the cinema and gives us some astute and hilarious observations on class and masculinity in the north of England. Gary Olsen, as the former Rugby league player, heads an excellent cast and even Samantha Janus, as the gym owner, fits in surprisingly well. Not a film for the rugby connoisseur, but just the job for a good evening's viewing with a couple of pints.