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Matt Merritt

@inthecheapseats.co.uk

Semi-pro rugby fan. Ice hockey nerd (Toronto Maple Leafs/Belfast Giants). Theatre lover. Book hoarder. Shakespeare nut. ✍️🏼RugbyPass, World Rugby & more.

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27.11.2023
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Latest posts by Matt Merritt @inthecheapseats.co.uk

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.

20.02.2026 14:06 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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

20.02.2026 13:59 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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 πŸ˜€

20.02.2026 13:31 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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...

20.02.2026 13:23 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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

30.11.2025 07:58 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A view of the Swan theatre and river Avon through the window of a room at the Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon.

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!

30.11.2025 07:56 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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.

21.10.2025 14:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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.

21.10.2025 14:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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

21.10.2025 13:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

21.10.2025 13:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

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…

16.10.2025 06:09 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

30.09.2025 12:36 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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!

29.09.2025 06:05 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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

28.09.2025 06:40 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

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.

30.08.2025 18:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

London Irish Emerald too, she's ace

30.08.2025 15:23 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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.

07.08.2025 12:12 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I was pleasantly surprised it recognised me as human to be honest πŸ˜‚

28.07.2025 10:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

28.07.2025 10:06 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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!

28.07.2025 10:03 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

22.07.2025 08:18 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

23.06.2025 12:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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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.

22.06.2025 08:16 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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There are few signs that bring me as much joy as this...
Away for the next week, normal business resumes on the 16th.

07.06.2025 19:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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...
πŸ“Έcourtesy of Press Eye

21.05.2025 14:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Hockey two nights in a row... I could get used to this.

20.05.2025 18:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

19.05.2025 07:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

16.05.2025 11:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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.

15.05.2025 06:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Jack Jacome returns for a second season at Guildford Flames.

β€œHe 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
πŸ“Έ: John Uwins

14.05.2025 18:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0