Illtud Dafydd
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Illtud Dafydd
@illtuddafydd.bsky.social
Francophone gallois | Sports Journalist/ Newyddiadurwr Chwaraeon with Agence France-Presse | Paris | [email protected] | Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch on Substack
According to L'Equipe, Uini Atonio will make his injury return, after six months out, against Leicester in the #ChampionsCup on Saturday

Nolann Le Garrec not back until December 20

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Stade Rochelais : Atonio va rejouer, Sazy dans le staff pour la mêlée
Absent des terrains depuis la fin de saison dernière en raison d'une désinsertion à l'ischio-jambier, Uini Atonio va effectuer son retour à la compétition. Selon nos informations, le pilier du Stade R...
www.lequipe.fr
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 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
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 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
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Galthie on facing Japan, the USA and Samoa

"It is indeed a friendly group. It is a perfect draw to build momentum"

#RWC2027
Fabien Galthie confirms France will play three warm-up games before #RWC2027
December 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
Huh, judging from the RWC kickoff video that just dropped, looks like Australia have become the latest team to go Castore
December 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
Portugal v Uruguay feels like such a Pro D2 fan choice for game of the tournament.

They even put those 2 teams in Group D to help people work it out!
Also, potential hidden bangers.

Personally I'm all in for Portugal v Uruguay. #HipstersChoice
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Fabien Galthie confirms France will play three warm-up games before #RWC2027
December 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Highly unlikely that there will be only one SH team in the semi-finals of a SH-hosted tournament.

Mind you the fact that one of the QFs will almost certainly be between two SH teams does increase that possibility.
Assuming the better sides win, RWC 2027 will unfold like below ...

#RWC2027
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Pau centre Emilien Gailleton has been ruled out for 2-4 months with a shoulder injury, according to L'Equipe

A doubt for the #SixNations and a blow to Pau's very good season so far

#ChampionsCup #Top14

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Touché à l'épaule gauche contre La Rochelle, Émilien Gailleton absent pendant deux à quatre mois
Victime d'une luxation de l'épaule gauche lors de la victoire de Pau sur La Rochelle dimanche soir (53-33), le centre international Émilien Gailleton (22 ans, 12 sélections) sera indisponible entre de...
www.lequipe.fr
December 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The #ChampionsCup is back this week

Proper feels for Bordeaux-Begles fans this
December 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
When players say "I don't read the press"...
December 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Further bad injury news for Toulouse after Juan Cruz Mallia

Matthis Lebel is ruled out for at least six weeks with a hand issue

Busy period coming up with the #ChampionsCup and #Top14

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Victime d'une fracture d'un métacarpe de la main gauche, l'ailier toulousain Matthis Lebel sera indisponible au moins un mois et demi
L'ailier du Stade Toulousain Matthis Lebel s'est fracturé un métacarpe de la main gauche face au Racing 92, samedi (48-24), et a été opéré lundi. Il sera absent pendant au moins un mois et demi.
www.lequipe.fr
December 2, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
The rugby community was shocked and saddened to see the great Penarth Athletic Club destroyed by fire over the weekend.

You can contribute to the rebuild here:

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fc7d003113...
Rebuild Penarth Athletic Club.
Rebuild Penarth Athletic Club after the fire, replace lost memorabilia and equipment, and keep rugby, cricket and hockey thriving.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Midi Olympique claim Castres are interested in Kwagga Smith for next season

They'll letting Tyler Ardron and Romain Macurdy go

#Top14
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Charles Ollivon out of Toulon's #Top14 game with Montauban on Saturday due to conussion

rctoulon.com/infirmerie-l...
Infirmerie : le point sur les blessés avant Toulon - Montauban ! - RCT
Avant la rencontre face à Montauban ce samedi (16h35), Pierre Mignoni a fait le point en conférence de presse sur les absents dans…
rctoulon.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:02 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
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
You better believe it!
As if the Paris Cornichon Festival is a real thing 🤯

Love it! 😂😍
Why did Patrick Arlettaz’s attack lack fluidity?

What was the problem with Shaun Edwards’ leaky defence?

How can you concede so many penalties with former Test referee Jérôme Garcès on board?

What is the general gameplan?

illtuddafydd.substack.com/p/le-debrief...
November 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Illtud Dafydd
France's 2026 Six Nations strip revealed early I see...
November 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
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
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 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
November 28, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Why did Patrick Arlettaz’s attack lack fluidity?

What was the problem with Shaun Edwards’ leaky defence?

How can you concede so many penalties with former Test referee Jérôme Garcès on board?

What is the general gameplan?

illtuddafydd.substack.com/p/le-debrief...
Le debrief: France's November
A disjointed campaign ended with more questions than answers
illtuddafydd.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
November 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
BIG NEWS this, according Midi Olympique, Antoine Dupont will make his playing return on Saturday

He's set to be named on the bench for the home #Top14 game against Racing 92

Dupont's been out since March

www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/27/t...
Exclu Midol. Dupont devrait retrouver la compétition ce samedi, pour la réception du Racing
Samedi soir lors de la 11e journée de Top 14, Antoine Dupont devrait être remplaçant face au Racing 92 sous réserve d’un souci physique de dernière minute, et faire son grand retour à la compétition p...
www.rugbyrama.fr
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 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/
November 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM