In from the Side 2023

In the bustling heart of London’s gay rugby scene, Mark Newton finds himself entwined in an intense affair with Warren Hunt, a prominent player on the A team, as he faces the challenges of both passion and secrecy. Both men are trapped in unsatisfactory long-term relationships; Warren is involved with John, another A-team star, while Mark navigates his connection to Richard, who permits their open relationship on the condition that Mark keeps him updated on his escapades.

As their affair spirals deeper, the complexity of their lives becomes alarming. Henry Michaels, a newcomer to the rugby world and drawn to Mark, struggles with his unresolved feelings and turns to alcohol in his pursuit of connection, deepening his emotional solitude.

When Warren decides to join the B team amid their struggles, he disguises his intention to spend more time with Mark while enraging the existing B-team players, particularly Gareth, whose position is compromised by Warren’s arrival.

As the season progresses, tensions rise and underlying conflicts threaten to surface. The team’s important victory starkly contrasts with Mark’s growing distance from his teammates. Henry, feeling isolated and neglected, grapples with the notion that he might merely be a pawn in a dangerous game.

Things escalate when Richard returns for Christmas, leading Mark to invite Warren to his family gathering. The warmth of that welcome starkly contrasts with the hurt stemming from their deceitful relationships. Mark’s mother shares poignant insights from her own history with infidelity, and his father cautions against overthinking romantic hurt, emphasizing the importance of embracing life’s joys.

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, an incendiary atmosphere hangs over the club’s wild celebration. Warren, under cover of the celebrations, sends a text to Mark, while Gareth covertly browses his phone. When Gareth learns of this secret communication, tensions escalate, leading him to confide in Henry and John. In a furious outburst, John lashes out at Mark, forcing him to leave the party, while Warren’s inaction fuels Mark’s frustration. Upon returning home, Mark is hit with a bombshell: Richard has found a compromising photo of Mark with Warren in Richard’s condo—leading to a painful breakup, leaving Mark to rebuild his life.

The fallout from these revelations shakes the very foundation of their team, resulting in the disbanding of the B team due to Mark’s departure. However, Warren persuades Mark to rejoin the team, and together with Henry, they inspire the B team to a triumphant victory in their last match. Richard unexpectedly shows up at the game, confronting Mark with the consequences of his actions. As Mark seeks to rectify his mistakes, he and Richard resolve to keep a healthy distance.

In a surprising turn, Warren announces his separation from John and offers Mark a chance to start afresh together. Yet Mark, choosing to foster his connections within the team, respectfully declines the offer. As the post-match celebrations unfold, Henry earns accolades for his outstanding performance, allowing Mark to feel a sense of belonging among his teammates. In a reflective moment, Mark notices an opposing player looking at him with intent—an inviting reminder that perhaps his journey for new connections and experiences has only just begun, much like his complicated relationship with Warren.