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
Bordeaux-Begles host the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on Saturday
The last time they met (January 2022) Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his first senior start, scoring a 47-minute hat-trick
He's turned out OK since then...
The last time they met (January 2022) Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his first senior start, scoring a 47-minute hat-trick
He's turned out OK since then...
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Bordeaux-Begles host the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on Saturday
The last time they met (January 2022) Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his first senior start, scoring a 47-minute hat-trick
He's turned out OK since then...
The last time they met (January 2022) Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his first senior start, scoring a 47-minute hat-trick
He's turned out OK since then...
Good news for Toulouse, bad news for Glasgow...
Romain Ntamack and Jack Willis are set to be fit for Saturday's #ChampionsCup meeting at Scotstoun
Santiago Chocobares and Pierre-Louis Barassi are doubts with concussion
Romain Ntamack and Jack Willis are set to be fit for Saturday's #ChampionsCup meeting at Scotstoun
Santiago Chocobares and Pierre-Louis Barassi are doubts with concussion
December 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Good news for Toulouse, bad news for Glasgow...
Romain Ntamack and Jack Willis are set to be fit for Saturday's #ChampionsCup meeting at Scotstoun
Santiago Chocobares and Pierre-Louis Barassi are doubts with concussion
Romain Ntamack and Jack Willis are set to be fit for Saturday's #ChampionsCup meeting at Scotstoun
Santiago Chocobares and Pierre-Louis Barassi are doubts with concussion
In some off the field issues
Toulouse's LNR hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's 2022 transfer from Perpignan started this afternoon in Paris
They risk a points penalty over his €450,000 move
#Top14
Toulouse's LNR hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's 2022 transfer from Perpignan started this afternoon in Paris
They risk a points penalty over his €450,000 move
#Top14
December 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
In some off the field issues
Toulouse's LNR hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's 2022 transfer from Perpignan started this afternoon in Paris
They risk a points penalty over his €450,000 move
#Top14
Toulouse's LNR hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's 2022 transfer from Perpignan started this afternoon in Paris
They risk a points penalty over his €450,000 move
#Top14
Some average #ChampionsCup/ #ChallengeCup terrestrial TV ratings from France this weekend:
Bulls v Bordeaux-Begles: 1.33m (France 2)
Perpignan v Dragons: 536,000 (France 3)
Toulouse v Sharks: 1.94m (France 2)
Other games were on pay channel BeIn Sports
Via: PureMedias
Bulls v Bordeaux-Begles: 1.33m (France 2)
Perpignan v Dragons: 536,000 (France 3)
Toulouse v Sharks: 1.94m (France 2)
Other games were on pay channel BeIn Sports
Via: PureMedias
December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Some average #ChampionsCup/ #ChallengeCup terrestrial TV ratings from France this weekend:
Bulls v Bordeaux-Begles: 1.33m (France 2)
Perpignan v Dragons: 536,000 (France 3)
Toulouse v Sharks: 1.94m (France 2)
Other games were on pay channel BeIn Sports
Via: PureMedias
Bulls v Bordeaux-Begles: 1.33m (France 2)
Perpignan v Dragons: 536,000 (France 3)
Toulouse v Sharks: 1.94m (France 2)
Other games were on pay channel BeIn Sports
Via: PureMedias
Team of the week
France-born Cameron Redpath in there
A Jalibert-Williams half-back combination would be fun to see in real life
Alldritt seems to be back to his best
#ChampionsCup
France-born Cameron Redpath in there
A Jalibert-Williams half-back combination would be fun to see in real life
Alldritt seems to be back to his best
#ChampionsCup
December 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Team of the week
France-born Cameron Redpath in there
A Jalibert-Williams half-back combination would be fun to see in real life
Alldritt seems to be back to his best
#ChampionsCup
France-born Cameron Redpath in there
A Jalibert-Williams half-back combination would be fun to see in real life
Alldritt seems to be back to his best
#ChampionsCup
"All Bonus"
Bordeaux-Begles, La Rochelle and Toulouse start their #ChampionsCup campaigns perfectly
I'm interested to see what type of sides Clermont, Castres, Bayonne and Pau put out for round two
Toulon should go full strength against Bath
Bordeaux-Begles, La Rochelle and Toulouse start their #ChampionsCup campaigns perfectly
I'm interested to see what type of sides Clermont, Castres, Bayonne and Pau put out for round two
Toulon should go full strength against Bath
December 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
"All Bonus"
Bordeaux-Begles, La Rochelle and Toulouse start their #ChampionsCup campaigns perfectly
I'm interested to see what type of sides Clermont, Castres, Bayonne and Pau put out for round two
Toulon should go full strength against Bath
Bordeaux-Begles, La Rochelle and Toulouse start their #ChampionsCup campaigns perfectly
I'm interested to see what type of sides Clermont, Castres, Bayonne and Pau put out for round two
Toulon should go full strength against Bath
#ChampionsCup...
A good day for: Saracens, Uini Atonio, Bordeaux-Begles, Bath
A bad day for: Italian referees, Charlie Titcombe, Munster
A good day for: Saracens, Uini Atonio, Bordeaux-Begles, Bath
A bad day for: Italian referees, Charlie Titcombe, Munster
December 6, 2025 at 10:28 PM
#ChampionsCup...
A good day for: Saracens, Uini Atonio, Bordeaux-Begles, Bath
A bad day for: Italian referees, Charlie Titcombe, Munster
A good day for: Saracens, Uini Atonio, Bordeaux-Begles, Bath
A bad day for: Italian referees, Charlie Titcombe, Munster
And for Bristol (and Scotland) I'm not convinced Tom Jordan is a Test 15, lacks the out and out gas
Kalaveti Ravouvou is a joy to watch too, I'd pay for a ticket to just watch him
#ChampionsCup
Kalaveti Ravouvou is a joy to watch too, I'd pay for a ticket to just watch him
#ChampionsCup
December 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
And for Bristol (and Scotland) I'm not convinced Tom Jordan is a Test 15, lacks the out and out gas
Kalaveti Ravouvou is a joy to watch too, I'd pay for a ticket to just watch him
#ChampionsCup
Kalaveti Ravouvou is a joy to watch too, I'd pay for a ticket to just watch him
#ChampionsCup
La Rochelle's Gregory Alldritt to be rested for the trip to the Stormers
They leave for Cape Town tomorrow at 1pm tomorrow
Sending a weakened side in just the second round of a tournament is never a good look, especially for the competition
#ChampionsCup
They leave for Cape Town tomorrow at 1pm tomorrow
Sending a weakened side in just the second round of a tournament is never a good look, especially for the competition
#ChampionsCup
December 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
La Rochelle's Gregory Alldritt to be rested for the trip to the Stormers
They leave for Cape Town tomorrow at 1pm tomorrow
Sending a weakened side in just the second round of a tournament is never a good look, especially for the competition
#ChampionsCup
They leave for Cape Town tomorrow at 1pm tomorrow
Sending a weakened side in just the second round of a tournament is never a good look, especially for the competition
#ChampionsCup
A little insight into what covering the #ChampionsCup is like...
Keeping an eye on La Rochelle v Leicester while listening to a Bordeaux-Begles WhatsApp call press conference after their win over the Bulls in Pretoria
UBB are very happy with the BP from Loftus Versfeld, by the way!
Keeping an eye on La Rochelle v Leicester while listening to a Bordeaux-Begles WhatsApp call press conference after their win over the Bulls in Pretoria
UBB are very happy with the BP from Loftus Versfeld, by the way!
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
A little insight into what covering the #ChampionsCup is like...
Keeping an eye on La Rochelle v Leicester while listening to a Bordeaux-Begles WhatsApp call press conference after their win over the Bulls in Pretoria
UBB are very happy with the BP from Loftus Versfeld, by the way!
Keeping an eye on La Rochelle v Leicester while listening to a Bordeaux-Begles WhatsApp call press conference after their win over the Bulls in Pretoria
UBB are very happy with the BP from Loftus Versfeld, by the way!
"We have the motivation of being title holders and wanting to keep that status"
Bordeaux-Begles' Tiaan Jacobs as they open the defence of their #ChampionsCup crown at the Bulls on Saturday
More to come via @afp.com
Bordeaux-Begles' Tiaan Jacobs as they open the defence of their #ChampionsCup crown at the Bulls on Saturday
More to come via @afp.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
"We have the motivation of being title holders and wanting to keep that status"
Bordeaux-Begles' Tiaan Jacobs as they open the defence of their #ChampionsCup crown at the Bulls on Saturday
More to come via @afp.com
Bordeaux-Begles' Tiaan Jacobs as they open the defence of their #ChampionsCup crown at the Bulls on Saturday
More to come via @afp.com
Stade Francais full-back Leo Barre was Opta's 'European' club player of the weekend
He's a kicking full-back who can create very well
The Parisians are fourth in the #Top14 table before the #ChallengeCup double-header
He's a kicking full-back who can create very well
The Parisians are fourth in the #Top14 table before the #ChallengeCup double-header
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Stade Francais full-back Leo Barre was Opta's 'European' club player of the weekend
He's a kicking full-back who can create very well
The Parisians are fourth in the #Top14 table before the #ChallengeCup double-header
He's a kicking full-back who can create very well
The Parisians are fourth in the #Top14 table before the #ChallengeCup double-header
"I guess we are new to this competition, so we want to come in and make a mark"
Pau's Australian full-back Jack Maddocks on their first #ChampionsCup appearance since 2000/2001
A full piece on La Section via @afp.com later this week
Pau's Australian full-back Jack Maddocks on their first #ChampionsCup appearance since 2000/2001
A full piece on La Section via @afp.com later this week
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"I guess we are new to this competition, so we want to come in and make a mark"
Pau's Australian full-back Jack Maddocks on their first #ChampionsCup appearance since 2000/2001
A full piece on La Section via @afp.com later this week
Pau's Australian full-back Jack Maddocks on their first #ChampionsCup appearance since 2000/2001
A full piece on La Section via @afp.com later this week
December 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
When players say "I don't read the press"...
December 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
When players say "I don't read the press"...
The Lost Files: Pita Ahki
He's been 'la force tranquille' at Toulouse since his 2018 arrival from Connacht
A huge part of the club on and off the field
He's been 'la force tranquille' at Toulouse since his 2018 arrival from Connacht
A huge part of the club on and off the field
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The Lost Files: Pita Ahki
He's been 'la force tranquille' at Toulouse since his 2018 arrival from Connacht
A huge part of the club on and off the field
He's been 'la force tranquille' at Toulouse since his 2018 arrival from Connacht
A huge part of the club on and off the field
Toulouse's USA prop David Ainu'u breaks down in tears when asked about Pita Ahki's departure from the club
"There's going to be a part of me that doesn't want to accept that he's going to be gone"
Ahki plays his final game for les Rouge et Noir against Racing 92 on Saturday
#Top14
"There's going to be a part of me that doesn't want to accept that he's going to be gone"
Ahki plays his final game for les Rouge et Noir against Racing 92 on Saturday
#Top14
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Toulouse's USA prop David Ainu'u breaks down in tears when asked about Pita Ahki's departure from the club
"There's going to be a part of me that doesn't want to accept that he's going to be gone"
Ahki plays his final game for les Rouge et Noir against Racing 92 on Saturday
#Top14
"There's going to be a part of me that doesn't want to accept that he's going to be gone"
Ahki plays his final game for les Rouge et Noir against Racing 92 on Saturday
#Top14
A boost for France and Bordeaux-Begles
Centre Yoram Moefana is set to return from a shoulder injury against the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on December 13
Centre Yoram Moefana is set to return from a shoulder injury against the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on December 13
November 28, 2025 at 10:18 AM
A boost for France and Bordeaux-Begles
Centre Yoram Moefana is set to return from a shoulder injury against the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on December 13
Centre Yoram Moefana is set to return from a shoulder injury against the Scarlets in the #ChampionsCup on December 13
November 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
November 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I'll be looking back on France's November Tests in this week's Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
A dis-jointed campaign with some stand-out individual performances
Out tonight, here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
A dis-jointed campaign with some stand-out individual performances
Out tonight, here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
November 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I'll be looking back on France's November Tests in this week's Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch
A dis-jointed campaign with some stand-out individual performances
Out tonight, here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
A dis-jointed campaign with some stand-out individual performances
Out tonight, here: illtuddafydd.substack.com/
From AFP's photo archive
Not many defenders got this close to Jonah Lomu
Not many defenders got this close to Jonah Lomu
November 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
From AFP's photo archive
Not many defenders got this close to Jonah Lomu
Not many defenders got this close to Jonah Lomu