Poetic Justice

I am going to presume you all know the ins and outs of the Ched Evans case and instead I’m going to skip to transcribing my feelings over the news of his acquittal. It didn’t take long for me to find numerous messages on social media abusing and threatening the girl who made the claims that she had been raped by Evans. Why can she simply walk away from all this whilst Evans’ career, guilty or not guilty has been totally ruined? This is a perfect example of the horrible smog that surrounds rape culture in the modern age. The fact that Evans has been proved not guilty doesn’t not necessarily mean that the girl ‘lied’, the decision ultimately lay with a jury that made a decision in their own eyes as to what they deemed happened in that hotel room all those years ago. If a woman is unable to speak out about a crime for fear of hatred and abuse, then the criminal justice system is not doing its job to protect. She shouldn't have to hide behind a horrible background for fear of failing...

 1 - You moth be joking! During the recent European Championship final in Paris between Portugal and France an infestation of moths descended onto the pitch. The insects attracted a lot of attention throughout, mainly due to their vast numbers and the game's poor quality. However it wasn't until the 16th minute that one moth Ronaldo limped off injured but not after making a new friend. stepped up to become the internet's newest star. As a crestfallen Cristiano Ronaldo lay injured on the Saint Denis turf one moth settled gently between his eyebrows and thus took his place as the web's latest viral trend. The moth now has various facebook and twitter accounts in his honour. 2 - Fowl play at Ewood Park. As Blackburn took on local rivals Burnley at Ewood Park it seemed that the two Lancashire clubs were heading for an uneventful derby day draw. That was until one fan took it upon himself to release his pet chicken onto the pitch. Causing quite a stir, the chic...

THE GOOD The Underdogs Regardless of who wins the European Championship on Sunday the tournament will most likely be remembered for the unlikely run of a plucky Welsh side. Despite a battling defeat to England in the Group stages the Welsh barely put a foot wrong beating Slovakia, Russia and Northern Ireland before putting a much fancied Belgium team to the sword in style. Gareth Bale was the obvious star man in the line-up and he stepped up to lead from the front but it was the other lesser known names around him who were ultimately responsible for sending a relatively unfancied international team to the very forefront of world football. Although Wales stole the show much praise must also be given to plucky Iceland. It was impossible not to fall in love with the spirit and determination shown by those from the competition’s most remote nation. Even when Iceland embarrassed England in the last 16 I found it particularly difficult to begrudge them. However they ultimately fell in t...

SARACENS – 1 st (Champions) My Prediction: 1 st Review: Saracens produced an incredible season winning both the Premiership and the Champions Cup (previously the Heineken Cup), the first time an English team has achieved such a feat since Wasps in 2003-04. Saracens now boast a side crammed with international superstars and household names and will be just as hard to stop next season. The only major blip on the Barnet based club’s record came at the hands of Wasps where they were beaten 64-23, other than that Saracens topped the table with relative ease and were never really under any threat in Europe either. A fantastic season by England’s best rugby club, it looks hard to look past them for another domestic title next year. Star Man: Alex Goode – Named Aviva Premiership Player of the Season and immaculate in the Final, Alex Goode has been flawless. With Mike Brown struggling as of late it shouldn’t be long before the Cambridge born fullback is back in the England starting 15....

This weekend the Premiership final will be contested by the two sides that finished first and second in the regular season. Saracens who topped the pile will be making their fifth appearance in a domestic finalin seven years, whilst for Exeter it will be their first ever outing in English rugby's top match. The game promises to be full of massive match-ups and battlegrounds but below I've listed four of the key areas and factors which I believe will be fundamental to the outcome of the game. -The Number 10 duel- Owen Farrell has made Twickenham his second home in recent times but his fitness may remain a potential issue. Regardless of what Saracens say, there is no way to claim full fitness until its been tested in the heat of battle.  Farrell's opposite number will be the Northern Irishman Gareth Steenson. The Chiefs kicker has been with Exeter since there Championship days and is a hugely popular figure amongst the Sandy Park faithful. Steenson collected the Golden B...

My name is Henry Justice, and I must have done some terrible things in a past life because I ended up a supporter of a little known Nottinghamshire club; Mansfield Town. Of course, I am proud of my club and wouldn’t leave them for the world, but things could have been very different. At the age of twelve I moved to Leicestershire and if I’d got into football a little later I could have perhaps been a fan of Leicester City and on the verge of celebrating one of the biggest fairy tales in English football. As it happened things didn’t turn out like that and the fates gave me the mighty Stags. To be fair to my boys we did win the Conference in the 2013 campaign, for which I’m eternally grateful, but in comparison to our Midlands rivals its pretty trivial. As a result of being from the Midlands and not a regular at the King Power, I disliked Leicester, amongst many others, Notts County, Chesterfield etc. Maybe it was jealously or just the fact I loved to hate them because all my friend...

As another season in the Greene King IPA Championship draws to an end there’s a very familiar picture atop the summit, Bristol Rugby.  The south-west outfit, coached by Andy Robinson, will take a third successive league title; regardless of the outcome of their final league match, and will make it five wins in their last seven campaigns in the Championship. However, despite this total dominance of the division, Bristol haven’t reached the dizzying heights of Premiership rugby since they were relegated seven years ago. The reason is a simple one, Bristol are chokers, lulled into a false sense of security by the ease they walk the regular season. Unfortunately topping the table is only half the story, Bristol are then thrown into a playoff battle,  of which they enter favourites only to buckle under the immense pressure, pressure that builds with every scuppered chance. Bristol are led by Andy Robinson. Last season was one of Bristol’s most impressive, 21 wins from 22, a...

With the 2016 T20 World Cup well and truly over and the West Indies crowned champions, I have a look at my team of the tournament, only with a slight difference. I've selected a squad consisting of solely players from the eight teams that started out their campaigns in the Group stage. No England, no West Indies, no India. My selection comprises predominantly players from Afghanistan and Bangladesh, the two sides that reached the Super 10, but this only goes to show these sides aren't completely off the pace when it comes to limited overs cricket. Amongst these, there's also a few stand out performers from their respective nations who make my cut. Here is my team of the tournament for T20's 'Tier 2' sides. Tamim Iqbal – The Bangladeshi opener finished the World cup as the tournament’s top scorer with a total of 295 runs from six matches. Iqbal also scored the highest single innings score with an impressive 103 not-out against Oman (Bangladesh’s first ever ...

England claimed their first Grand Slam for 13 years as they made it five from five with victory over France. Although it won't have made up entirely for England's premature exit in their own World Cup, Eddie Jones began the rehabilitation process with some well overdue silverware. Here are my player ratings for the England players following the momentous victory in Paris: Starting 15: 15: Mike Brown - 6 - Butchered a certain try when he elected not to pass to Watson who could have cantered in for an easy score. Worked hard as always and was reliable in defence. 14: Anthony Watson - 8 - Scored the crucial try which ultimately killed off France. Should have had two but for Brown's poor decision making. Nice outing for his twinkle toes in a very good performance. 13: Jonathan Joseph - 6 - Struggled for room and space leaving him with very little chance to light the game up. 12: Owen Farrell - 7 - Missed a couple of kicks but ultimately succeeded in his job of keeping t...

Following victories over Scotland and Italy in the 6 Nations, many saw this fixture as Eddie Jones' first major challenge. The host's victory was made even more important, not just because it maintains their 100% start to the tournament but also because it was their first return to Twickenham since the devastating defeat to the Wallabies at the World Cup. Here are my players ratings for the England team following their 21-10 victory over the Irish: Starting 15: 15: Mike Brown - 6 - For the third game in a row Brown was a reliable and consistent performer in both his kicking and defending. Scored England's second try which effectively killed Ireland off but still appears to be missing a cutting edge when carrying. 14: Anthony Watson - 7 - A generous seven on this occasion for Watson. Scored England's first try but would've had to have done something remarkable not to. Made Farrell's job harder by not running around the back of the dead ball area towards the...

England made it two from two with their second win of the 6 Nations as Eddie Jones maintained his perfect record as head coach. After a slow first half the visitors turned up the heat in the second  to run out comfortable winners. Here are my full match ratings for the England team: Starting 15: 15: Mike Brown - 6 - Another solid performance with a resounding confidence under the high ball. Kicked well out of hand and showed good desire with his kick-chasing. Will be disappointed he couldn't do more with ball in hand, especially in the second half. 14: Anthony Watson - 6 - A quiet game which will disappoint him. Seems to be lacking the killer instinct he once possessed. Worked hard under the high ball and restarts though so his commitment to the cause can not be questioned. 13: Jonathan Joseph - 8 - The second half was tailor made for Joseph and just the sort of game he needed to restore his confidence. A well taken hat-trick with some clinical finishing, would have perhaps b...

My full list of ratings for England's players following their opening '6 Nations' win against Scotland at Murrayfield. England got Eddie Jones off to the perfect start with a win north of the border but there remains much for the new head coach to still work on. Starting 15: 15: Mike Brown - 7 - Dealt with everything thrown at him with ease and confidence but failed to make any significant breaks with ball in hand. Was always looking to ask questions of his opposition, and this will encourage the new boss. 14: Anthony Watson - 6 - Bath's troubles recently have been well documented and this may be the reason for Watson's lacklustre performance which lacked confidence. Looked tired and had little imagination going forward in a quiet game that was overshadowed by his opposite winger. The opportunity to run freely, like we know he can, is much needed for Watson against the Azzurri next week. 13: Jonathon Joseph - 6 - Not a game that suited the Bath centre, saw th...

England survived a late scare from a resurgent Welsh team to move just one win away from a long awaited Grand Slam. Here are my player ratings for those in white: Starting 15: 15: Mike Brown - 7 - Solid display under the high ball and impressive going forward. Played a pivotal role in Watson's score. 14: Anthony Watson - 7 - Really starting to impress when fielding the high ball. Was able to show his pace and footwork, and was constantly asking questions of Wales. Took his try well and worked hard all game. 13: Jonathan Joseph - 6 - There were glimpses of his dancing feet but mainly a quiet game for the Bath man. Not his best match of the campaign and will be eager to improve ahead of the France fixture. 12: Owen Farrell - 8 - A very impressive performance for Farrell. Kicked faultlessly which proved the difference following Wales' late rally. His work in defence and attack were also both very solid. Distributed and tackled like a natural centre. 11: Jack Nowell - 6 - F...

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has never been one to keep his thoughts to himself and his outspoken nature has led him to make the news once again. In the latest installment of Boudjellal bravado he has expressed a very serious desire to ditch the Top 14 and Toulon's french counterparts with the intention of competing in the Aviva Premiership. The Top 14 has often been labelled as boring and stale despite the plethora of big names plying their trades there. Many put this down to the fact that big players only come to France for the money and because they already know their international careers are dying out, who because they have no interest in playing test rugby at all. Their are famous names throughout the league, Dan Carter at Racing, the Du Plessis brothers at Montpellier, Conrad Smith at Pau, to name a few, but it is Toulon who house the most superstars within their ranks. Habana, Halfpenny, Steffon and Delon Armitage, Vermeulen, and Gorgodze are just a few of the...