Illtud Dafydd
@illtuddafydd.bsky.social
Francophone gallois | Sports Journalist/ Newyddiadurwr Chwaraeon with Agence France-Presse | Paris | illtud.dafydd@afp.com | Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch on Substack
Another injury for Tatafu
He has a back problem and will miss Bayonne's trip to Toulouse on Sunday despite being released from France's #SixNations squad
#FRAvIRE
He has a back problem and will miss Bayonne's trip to Toulouse on Sunday despite being released from France's #SixNations squad
#FRAvIRE
France prop Tevita Tatafu came off the bench for Bayonne today in his first game since May
The 23-year-old is handy back-up for Uini Atonio chez Les Bleus
#Top14
The 23-year-old is handy back-up for Uini Atonio chez Les Bleus
#Top14
January 29, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Another injury for Tatafu
He has a back problem and will miss Bayonne's trip to Toulouse on Sunday despite being released from France's #SixNations squad
#FRAvIRE
He has a back problem and will miss Bayonne's trip to Toulouse on Sunday despite being released from France's #SixNations squad
#FRAvIRE
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
It is not too much of an overstatement to say that without Auradou, Pau would not be 2nd in the league.
We called this out in our article for All Things Rugby last week:
allthingsrugby.com/news/evoluti...
We called this out in our article for All Things Rugby last week:
allthingsrugby.com/news/evoluti...
January 29, 2026 at 12:21 PM
It is not too much of an overstatement to say that without Auradou, Pau would not be 2nd in the league.
We called this out in our article for All Things Rugby last week:
allthingsrugby.com/news/evoluti...
We called this out in our article for All Things Rugby last week:
allthingsrugby.com/news/evoluti...
An explanation why Hugo Auradou is a part of France's set-up...
He's claimed more lineout takes from his own team’s throws (61) and stolen more opposition throws (15) than any other player in the #Top14 this season
#SixNations
He's claimed more lineout takes from his own team’s throws (61) and stolen more opposition throws (15) than any other player in the #Top14 this season
#SixNations
January 29, 2026 at 12:01 PM
An explanation why Hugo Auradou is a part of France's set-up...
He's claimed more lineout takes from his own team’s throws (61) and stolen more opposition throws (15) than any other player in the #Top14 this season
#SixNations
He's claimed more lineout takes from his own team’s throws (61) and stolen more opposition throws (15) than any other player in the #Top14 this season
#SixNations
Paul Graou and Matthieu Jalibert are the #Top14's leading assist providers this season, on 11
One is Antoine Dupont's stand-in, the other will partner him for #FRAvIRE
#SixNations
One is Antoine Dupont's stand-in, the other will partner him for #FRAvIRE
#SixNations
January 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Paul Graou and Matthieu Jalibert are the #Top14's leading assist providers this season, on 11
One is Antoine Dupont's stand-in, the other will partner him for #FRAvIRE
#SixNations
One is Antoine Dupont's stand-in, the other will partner him for #FRAvIRE
#SixNations
January 29, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Ex-Wallaby forward Ned Hanigan has been forced to retire on medical grounds after less than two years at Provence
#ProD2
www.provencerugby.com/ned-hanigan-...
#ProD2
www.provencerugby.com/ned-hanigan-...
NED HANIGAN MET UN TERME A SA CARRIERE POUR RAISONS MEDICALES | Provence Rugby
Provence Rugby annonce avec émotion que Ned Hanigan est contraint de mettre un terme à sa carrière de rugbyman professionnel. Sur avis médical, le
www.provencerugby.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Ex-Wallaby forward Ned Hanigan has been forced to retire on medical grounds after less than two years at Provence
#ProD2
www.provencerugby.com/ned-hanigan-...
#ProD2
www.provencerugby.com/ned-hanigan-...
These selection choices will be the subject of this week's Substack
Subscribe to Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch here
illtuddafydd.substack.com/
It will be out tomorrow!
#FRAvIRE #SixNations
Subscribe to Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch here
illtuddafydd.substack.com/
It will be out tomorrow!
#FRAvIRE #SixNations
France's final open training session until Sunday has just finished
Here's the 23
Ollivon at second-row
UBB 10-13
6-2 bench
Here's the 23
Ollivon at second-row
UBB 10-13
6-2 bench
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 PM
These selection choices will be the subject of this week's Substack
Subscribe to Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch here
illtuddafydd.substack.com/
It will be out tomorrow!
#FRAvIRE #SixNations
Subscribe to Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch here
illtuddafydd.substack.com/
It will be out tomorrow!
#FRAvIRE #SixNations
Hearing from La Rochelle it was pretty serious
The word "lucky" was used by a source at the club
#Top14
The word "lucky" was used by a source at the club
#Top14
France and La Rochelle tight-head Uni Atonio is forced to retire after a heart attack
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
January 28, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Hearing from La Rochelle it was pretty serious
The word "lucky" was used by a source at the club
#Top14
The word "lucky" was used by a source at the club
#Top14
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
January 28, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Bundee Aki is set to miss Ireland's clash with France.
He's not with the squad at their training camp in Portugal:
the42.ie/6940397t
He's not with the squad at their training camp in Portugal:
the42.ie/6940397t
Aki set to miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against France
The 35-year-old centre is not with Andy Farrell’s squad at their training camp in Portugal.
the42.ie
January 28, 2026 at 10:31 AM
France and La Rochelle tight-head Uni Atonio is forced to retire after a heart attack
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
January 28, 2026 at 8:38 AM
France and La Rochelle tight-head Uni Atonio is forced to retire after a heart attack
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
He’s stable but remains in intensive care
Force à lui!
"Some say there's less enthusiasm towards the idea of going to Marcouiss"
I haven't seen these type of 'leaks' during Galthie's tenure before
#SixNations
I haven't seen these type of 'leaks' during Galthie's tenure before
#SixNations
Interesting this from Sud-Ouest
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
XV de France. Interrogations, frustration : Galthié doit relancer l’adhésion en interne et un projet qui s’essouffle
En ayant pris des décisions fortes en termes managériales, le sélectionneur entend redynamiser un projet qui montre des signes d’essoufflement. Mais après une tournée de novembre durant laquelle plusi...
www.sudouest.fr
January 26, 2026 at 8:35 PM
"Some say there's less enthusiasm towards the idea of going to Marcouiss"
I haven't seen these type of 'leaks' during Galthie's tenure before
#SixNations
I haven't seen these type of 'leaks' during Galthie's tenure before
#SixNations
Interesting this from Sud-Ouest
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
XV de France. Interrogations, frustration : Galthié doit relancer l’adhésion en interne et un projet qui s’essouffle
En ayant pris des décisions fortes en termes managériales, le sélectionneur entend redynamiser un projet qui montre des signes d’essoufflement. Mais après une tournée de novembre durant laquelle plusi...
www.sudouest.fr
January 26, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Interesting this from Sud-Ouest
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
Murmerings of discontent from the France squad towards Fabien Galthie's methods
A group of players went to see him after the South Africa loss claiming they had been "low on energy" & questioned the tactics against the Boks
www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/...
France hold their first open training session of the #SixNations tomorrow
The players could well be seen in No. 1-23 bibs
Here's my possible 23 for #FRAvIRE, plenty of questions, especially since Atonio & Boudehent's injuries
The players could well be seen in No. 1-23 bibs
Here's my possible 23 for #FRAvIRE, plenty of questions, especially since Atonio & Boudehent's injuries
January 26, 2026 at 8:28 PM
France hold their first open training session of the #SixNations tomorrow
The players could well be seen in No. 1-23 bibs
Here's my possible 23 for #FRAvIRE, plenty of questions, especially since Atonio & Boudehent's injuries
The players could well be seen in No. 1-23 bibs
Here's my possible 23 for #FRAvIRE, plenty of questions, especially since Atonio & Boudehent's injuries
January 26, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Had a coffee/ Perrier with Abdelatif Benazzi for a piece looking ahead to the #SixNations today
His first question for the Welshman in Paris: "What do you make of the Cardiff takeover?"...
His first question for the Welshman in Paris: "What do you make of the Cardiff takeover?"...
January 26, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Had a coffee/ Perrier with Abdelatif Benazzi for a piece looking ahead to the #SixNations today
His first question for the Welshman in Paris: "What do you make of the Cardiff takeover?"...
His first question for the Welshman in Paris: "What do you make of the Cardiff takeover?"...
After Sud-Ouest claimed Aaron Smith is on a Pau shortlist for scrum-halves for next season, Midi Olympique reports Perpignan are interested in Braydon Ennor & Castres are looking at Dalton Papali'i
#Top14
#Top14
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 PM
After Sud-Ouest claimed Aaron Smith is on a Pau shortlist for scrum-halves for next season, Midi Olympique reports Perpignan are interested in Braydon Ennor & Castres are looking at Dalton Papali'i
#Top14
#Top14
Not sure about the trousers and trainers sorry Faz
January 26, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Not sure about the trousers and trainers sorry Faz
This is the most direct the ever-philosophical Galthie has been for a while
18 months out and 20 games to go until #RWC2027, is it too late to blood "new blood"?
18 months out and 20 games to go until #RWC2027, is it too late to blood "new blood"?
Fabien Galthie on dropping Penaud/ Alldritt/ Fickou
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
January 26, 2026 at 7:45 PM
This is the most direct the ever-philosophical Galthie has been for a while
18 months out and 20 games to go until #RWC2027, is it too late to blood "new blood"?
18 months out and 20 games to go until #RWC2027, is it too late to blood "new blood"?
Fabien Galthie on dropping Penaud/ Alldritt/ Fickou
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
January 26, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Fabien Galthie on dropping Penaud/ Alldritt/ Fickou
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
"France need new blood [...] At the start of my tenure I chose consvervatism to gain collective experience. After six years, it's time to find an evolution between this conservatism and innovation"
#SixNations
"We have a favourable tournament with three home games, we know the quality the competition requires and it's up us to be at that quality to try and win it again this year"
Antoine Dupont to Canal+ on the #SixNations
Antoine Dupont to Canal+ on the #SixNations
January 24, 2026 at 10:23 PM
"We have a favourable tournament with three home games, we know the quality the competition requires and it's up us to be at that quality to try and win it again this year"
Antoine Dupont to Canal+ on the #SixNations
Antoine Dupont to Canal+ on the #SixNations
Dupont on his facial injury
"I suffered a blow to the jaw, it's nothing nasty"
Via Canal+
"I suffered a blow to the jaw, it's nothing nasty"
Via Canal+
A stroll for Toulouse
Worrying images at half-time though as Antoine Dupont gets attention from the medical staff on his face in the changing room
#Top14
Worrying images at half-time though as Antoine Dupont gets attention from the medical staff on his face in the changing room
#Top14
January 24, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Dupont on his facial injury
"I suffered a blow to the jaw, it's nothing nasty"
Via Canal+
"I suffered a blow to the jaw, it's nothing nasty"
Via Canal+
FT: 59-22
Toulouse are now six points clear at the summit
Mola missing up to 12 France players during the #SixNations
#Top14
Toulouse are now six points clear at the summit
Mola missing up to 12 France players during the #SixNations
#Top14
A stroll for Toulouse
Worrying images at half-time though as Antoine Dupont gets attention from the medical staff on his face in the changing room
#Top14
Worrying images at half-time though as Antoine Dupont gets attention from the medical staff on his face in the changing room
#Top14
January 24, 2026 at 10:04 PM
FT: 59-22
Toulouse are now six points clear at the summit
Mola missing up to 12 France players during the #SixNations
#Top14
Toulouse are now six points clear at the summit
Mola missing up to 12 France players during the #SixNations
#Top14