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Dafydd James

About

Dafydd James:

Any rugby fanatic will certainly know of Dafydd Rhys James. They’d probably remember that he played in all three Lions Tests on the 2001 tour of Australia and may be able to guess how many tests he played for Wales (48).

They could even perhaps name some of the domestic teams he represented in his 15 years, 129 try career (Celtic Warriors, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues, Bridgend, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Harlequins and Sale).

What no-one will know until now is the truth about Dafydd. The self doubt, the anxiety and the unease that accompanied the undisputed talent and triumph. Dafydd is a dragon, and a lion, but he is also a man with a story we can all relate to and learn from.

The Book

Offloading – Tackling My Truth

This is Dafydd’s powerful and deeply personal memoir revealing the human cost of achieving success in an elite sport that demanded everything.

At its heart, this is an emotional story told with striking honesty, in which Dafydd provides a fascinating view of professional rugby’s early years and his immense pride at playing for Wales and discloses how the heavy mental toll of chasing greatness resulted in perpetual self-doubt and deep psychological insecurities that changed his life.

At its heart, this is a deeply human tale — of pressure and pride, of injuries and insecurities, of trying to belong in a game that demands everything. From the nervy ritual of matchday mornings to the thunder of the Millennium Stadium, from the ferocious camaraderie of Stradey Park to the jet-lagged haze of Lions camps, this is rugby as it’s rarely told: raw, reflective, and real.

For readers who love sport, legacy, and stories that go beyond the field, this is an essential read.


Available to buy from 4th September 2025

To pre-order your signed copy for just £16.99, click here

You can buy a copy from the following outlets :{these will be updated at time of launch}

You can also download an e-book version, priced at just £12.99 from these online outlets : {these will be updated at time of launch}

Services

Dafydd’s programs are tailored to each organization’s goals, blending real-world experience with proven strategies to foster sustainable success. His engaging delivery and authentic leadership style inspire lasting change—empowering professionals to perform at their best, just as he did on the field.

Executive & Leadership Coaching

Tailored one-on-one or small-group coaching for senior leaders and managers, focusing on high-performance thinking, emotional intelligence, and decision-making under pressure. Ideal for developing resilient, adaptive leaders.

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Team Resilience & Mindset Training

Interactive workshops designed to build psychological resilience, growth mindset, and mental agility across teams. Inspired by elite sports environments, these sessions help teams thrive in high-stakes business settings.

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High-Performance Culture Development

Consulting services that help organisations foster a culture of accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement—drawing parallels from elite team dynamics in sport.

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Leadership & Communication Workshops

Hands-on workshops that elevate leadership presence and communication effectiveness, using real-life sporting and corporate examples to enhance impact and influence.

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Health, Strength & Wellbeing Strategy

Corporate wellbeing programs integrating insights from elite sports—covering physical conditioning, nutrition, and energy management—to improve productivity, reduce burnout, and support employee performance.

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Motivational Speaking & Event Engagements

Inspiring keynotes and guest speaker slots for conferences, leadership away-days, or internal events. Dafydd shares powerful lessons on overcoming adversity, sustaining peak performance, and leading with purpose.

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Dafydd Today

Jonny Wilkinson

England | British & Irish Lions

“Dafydd James is a one of a kind, kind of guy. Make no mistake about it”

Dafydd is available for personal appearances, after dinner speaking and keynote motivational and inspirational talks.

Combining his role as a business development professional in a global insurance brokerage, with his history as an elite sportsman; Dafydd brings a unique perspective and deep insight to several business challenges from creating high performance teams to managing mental health.

Contact

Email

contact@dafydd-james.com


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