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
"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
Toulouse lead 19-12
Pau having a right go at Ernest Wallon, and it's got a bit niggle to it, even Antoine Dupont ALMOST got yellow carded
If you can, get watching!
#Top14
Pau having a right go at Ernest Wallon, and it's got a bit niggle to it, even Antoine Dupont ALMOST got yellow carded
If you can, get watching!
#Top14
First v second to finish off the day
That Pau backline is special
Plenty of France squad members in there too
#Top14
That Pau backline is special
Plenty of France squad members in there too
#Top14
January 24, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Toulouse lead 19-12
Pau having a right go at Ernest Wallon, and it's got a bit niggle to it, even Antoine Dupont ALMOST got yellow carded
If you can, get watching!
#Top14
Pau having a right go at Ernest Wallon, and it's got a bit niggle to it, even Antoine Dupont ALMOST got yellow carded
If you can, get watching!
#Top14
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 24, 2026 at 8:22 PM
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
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
Josh Adams looked very pleased with the chants of "Fuck Y11, we don't want your dirty money" near us
January 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Josh Adams looked very pleased with the chants of "Fuck Y11, we don't want your dirty money" near us
Pretty cool this
Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna with a live interview on Canal+ in the middle of the warm-up before the game at Toulouse
#Top14
Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna with a live interview on Canal+ in the middle of the warm-up before the game at Toulouse
#Top14
January 24, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Pretty cool this
Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna with a live interview on Canal+ in the middle of the warm-up before the game at Toulouse
#Top14
Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna with a live interview on Canal+ in the middle of the warm-up before the game at Toulouse
#Top14
Matthieu Jalibert on Damian Penaud's France #SixNations axe:
"I felt he's been affected a bit, not being in the 42 means a lot for him, it will give him a boost to work [...] I'm not worried for the future, he'll come back quickly"
Via Canal+
"I felt he's been affected a bit, not being in the 42 means a lot for him, it will give him a boost to work [...] I'm not worried for the future, he'll come back quickly"
Via Canal+
January 24, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Matthieu Jalibert on Damian Penaud's France #SixNations axe:
"I felt he's been affected a bit, not being in the 42 means a lot for him, it will give him a boost to work [...] I'm not worried for the future, he'll come back quickly"
Via Canal+
"I felt he's been affected a bit, not being in the 42 means a lot for him, it will give him a boost to work [...] I'm not worried for the future, he'll come back quickly"
Via Canal+
Another week, another incredible Castres away win
They end Bayonne's unbeaten home run in the #Top14, which stretched back to June 2024
Last time CO won two games on the bounce on the road was 12 months ago
They end Bayonne's unbeaten home run in the #Top14, which stretched back to June 2024
Last time CO won two games on the bounce on the road was 12 months ago
January 24, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Another week, another incredible Castres away win
They end Bayonne's unbeaten home run in the #Top14, which stretched back to June 2024
Last time CO won two games on the bounce on the road was 12 months ago
They end Bayonne's unbeaten home run in the #Top14, which stretched back to June 2024
Last time CO won two games on the bounce on the road was 12 months ago
January 24, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
CASTRES HAVE DONE IT! 💙🤍
Again!!
Nearly 20 months and over 20 games ago, Castres were the last team to beat Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger in the Top 14. And they’ve done it again.
Two fortresses toppled in two weeks for CO!
Again!!
Nearly 20 months and over 20 games ago, Castres were the last team to beat Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger in the Top 14. And they’ve done it again.
Two fortresses toppled in two weeks for CO!
January 24, 2026 at 5:45 PM
CASTRES HAVE DONE IT! 💙🤍
Again!!
Nearly 20 months and over 20 games ago, Castres were the last team to beat Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger in the Top 14. And they’ve done it again.
Two fortresses toppled in two weeks for CO!
Again!!
Nearly 20 months and over 20 games ago, Castres were the last team to beat Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger in the Top 14. And they’ve done it again.
Two fortresses toppled in two weeks for CO!
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
Under World Rugby Regulation 14.1, Y11 owning both the Ospreys and Cardiff, and both of them playing in the URC, will require sign off from World Rugby, and Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa …
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
"Y11 would also continue as the owners of Ospreys as a separate club, and Ospreys will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season"
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
Welsh Rugby Union - WRU statement: WRU agree sale of Cardiff Rugby
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) today confirmed its intention to sell Cardiff Rugby to Y11 Sport & Media following a rigorous open bidding process. The parties will now enter an exclusivity period to fina...
www.wru.wales
January 22, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Under World Rugby Regulation 14.1, Y11 owning both the Ospreys and Cardiff, and both of them playing in the URC, will require sign off from World Rugby, and Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa …
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
Not convinced the WRU has taken that into account.
"Y11 would also continue as the owners of Ospreys as a separate club, and Ospreys will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season"
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
Welsh Rugby Union - WRU statement: WRU agree sale of Cardiff Rugby
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) today confirmed its intention to sell Cardiff Rugby to Y11 Sport & Media following a rigorous open bidding process. The parties will now enter an exclusivity period to fina...
www.wru.wales
January 22, 2026 at 3:02 PM
"Y11 would also continue as the owners of Ospreys as a separate club, and Ospreys will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season"
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
www.wru.wales/2026/01/wru-...
Just text a contact at Nissa about 'la revolution galloise' on the French Riviera, with Gareth Baber, Barry Maddocks and Owen Williams already there
Their reply: "We'll play in the URC"
Are they joking?
Their reply: "We'll play in the URC"
Are they joking?
January 22, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Just text a contact at Nissa about 'la revolution galloise' on the French Riviera, with Gareth Baber, Barry Maddocks and Owen Williams already there
Their reply: "We'll play in the URC"
Are they joking?
Their reply: "We'll play in the URC"
Are they joking?
It's Paris Fashion Week right now, with a focus on menswear
So I spoke to THE upcoming rugby brand in France for Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
Ours Studio
Out tonight here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
#PFW
So I spoke to THE upcoming rugby brand in France for Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
Ours Studio
Out tonight here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
#PFW
January 22, 2026 at 1:24 PM
It's Paris Fashion Week right now, with a focus on menswear
So I spoke to THE upcoming rugby brand in France for Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
Ours Studio
Out tonight here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
#PFW
So I spoke to THE upcoming rugby brand in France for Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
Ours Studio
Out tonight here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
#PFW