In From The Side is a steamy rugby flick that none of us asked for but one that we all needed.

Written and directed by Matt Carter and Adam Silver, it dives head first into a passionate affair between two players on fictional gay rugby team The Stags.

It all kicks off with an electrifying rugby match for The Stags (seemingly based on the Kings Cross Steelers) that sets the stage for what’s to come. The opening moments are a pile up of shots focused on male athleticism and physicality. Or rather, it’s a lot of men crashing into each other in slow motion.

Emmerdale’s Alex Lincoln plays Mark, a shockingly handsome B Team rugby player whose sheer ruggedness will have your jaw dropped to the floor faster than you can say ‘ball back’.

Despite losing the match, Mark scores soon enough at a post-match piss up when he locks eyes on A Team player Warren played by Alexander King (also a rather tall glass of water).

Instant chemistry explodes on screen as undress me eyes and sexual tension takes point. Expect lots of body close ups and shower shots. You know the ones, water cascades down a man’s back as the next guy over stares longingly at his bottom.

Speaking of, Alex Lincoln plays the part well as Mark power bottoms his way from one secret rendezvous to the next. An interestingly flawed character; Mark is from a very privileged background and struggles to keep his paws off the forbidden fruit. But at what cost Mark? At what cost?

How long before consequence rears its ugly head and tackles the two lovers to the ground?

Throw in some annoying side characters (looking at you, Henry) and a middle class Christmas montage that could give a department store a run for its money and you’ve got yourself a gay rugby drama.

Whilst worth the two and bit hour watch, the film is not without its flaws.

At times the audio felt a smidge more like a voice over, which made a few gestures and gasps seem a little like an overreaction. And clearly not one for loose ends, the final act seems to go on forever as Mark completes his journey.

Thankfully though, this doesn’t overshadow the modern masculinity and emotional turmoil portrayed in both Mark and Warren’s moral dilemmas.

In From The Side is a strong entry in the ‘forbidden love / one that got away’ genre. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, it’s filled to the brim with sexual tension and you’ll probably spend the next few days wondering if there’s a gay rugby team near you.

4/5 stars.