Iestyn Rhys Thomas's Avatar

Iestyn Rhys Thomas

@iestyn21

Freelance Sports Journalist | Writer for Talking Rugby Union & South Wales Argus | Host of The Tyre Whisperer Podcast | USW Sports Journalism Graduate | Previous work includes WalesOnline, The Rugby Paper, Pontypridd RFC & WRU website.

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Latest posts by Iestyn Rhys Thomas @iestyn21

I knew it was looking unlikely!

At least it goes down to points difference instead of head to head like in other competitions! (No hope then!!)

07.03.2026 18:44 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Could someone run the permutations in case Wales and England end level next weekend?

Admittedly, this Italy team could do serious damage in Cardiff!

07.03.2026 18:41 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Oh my god what on earth is Dupont doing there.

07.03.2026 15:33 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

After growing up watching Wales play under Shaun Edwards.

I can’t quite believe this is a Shaun Edwards defence conceding 40 points in Edinburgh. #SCOvFRA

07.03.2026 15:33 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Agree, particularly in a side that’s lacking confidence at test level (Edwards bursted onto the scene with bucket loads at club level)

It’s sad that the Welsh public always puts the blame on a 10 regardless of the situation (especially when they have lots of potential)

07.03.2026 12:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Why are you continuing with this strange agenda against a 22-year old fly-half in his first full season of international rugby?

07.03.2026 11:49 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

I know it’s not the norm for the player of the match to be from the losing side.

But Alex Mann was absolutely brilliant for Wales. #IREvWAL

06.03.2026 22:17 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

A better 40 minutes half than I was expecting from Wales. Really giving it a good go on both sides of the ball.

The CarrΓ© score a brilliant response to conceding the second try. #IREvWAL

06.03.2026 20:59 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Bit annoyed that ITV have missed every opportunity possible to have Biggar next to O’Gara.

Only to have Jamie Roberts next to Biggar.

06.03.2026 19:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Don’t give me THAT much hope, Anna.

06.03.2026 17:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Some would call it clinical.

06.03.2026 12:59 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

You’ll have plenty of time to sort that out, considering you’ll be a neutral after the quarter finals πŸ˜‰

06.03.2026 12:53 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Just wait until what they say if they beat France on Saturday…..

06.03.2026 12:49 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Be happy to get out of 2026 at this rate!!

06.03.2026 10:16 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Only until the 25th century?

06.03.2026 09:59 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Three Dragons selected in Wales U20s squad ahead of trip to Cork Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin praised Dragons' number 8 Evan Minto performance in the BKT United Rugby Championship draw to Benetton…

After playing 76 minutes off the bench last weekend in the URC, Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin was full of praise for Evan Minto.

The Dragons number 8 starts for a second consecutive Six Nations game at U20s level.

My piece below for the Argus.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/259100...

05.03.2026 18:09 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

I’m not sure who you’re on about.

Bar the 2018 Champions Cup final (with kind help from Teddy Thomas) - James Ryan and instrumental has never been in the same sentence before.

05.03.2026 15:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The what?

That should be enough to close the debate and get you cancelled. πŸ˜‰

05.03.2026 10:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Inaccurate.

It would be the battle of two test Lions, where one player in the midweek produced a player of the match performance where the other one had a shocker and was almost laughed at (by me!)

04.03.2026 19:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I really like Joe McCarthy as a rugby player. But I find it unfair that his selection on the bench has ruined the potential for one of the all time battles (battering) off the bench for second row.

Ryan vs Beard. It’s there written in the stars only for Andy Farrell to spoil the fun. #IREvWAL

04.03.2026 18:54 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Press conference was pushed back an additional 30 minutes too.

They used to call that mind games.

04.03.2026 18:16 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Bring large parts of what we did against Scotland and well be in the game - Wales aiming to build in Dublin Steve Tandy has made three changes - including Dan Edwards return to fly-half - as Wales look to produce a β€œcompetitive performance” in their Guinness Six Nations clash against Ireland on Friday night...

Wales are hoping to build from their encouraging performance against Scotland when they head to Dublin on Friday night.

Quotes from Steve Tandy below on Ireland, Louie Hennessey and James Botham for
@talkrugbyunion.bsky.social
www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/bring-large-...

04.03.2026 18:13 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ—¨οΈ "If we bring large parts of what we did against Scotland, then I think we'll be in the game to get the result we all want..."

πŸ€” Can Wales take another step in the right direction in Dublin?

🏴󠁧󠁒󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿✍️ @iestyn21.bsky.social with the latest from the Welsh camp: www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/bring-large-...

04.03.2026 18:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Can only play what’s in front of you.

02.03.2026 17:25 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Stormers.

Admittedly, you’re a big fan of Ryan so your head was probably in the sand at that point!!

02.03.2026 16:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Player of the match performances on tour:

James Ryan - 0
Adam Beard - 1

Ryan had to rely on a Jac Morgan clear out to become a series winner πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ.

02.03.2026 16:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I’ve just uploaded a video on TikTok too (attempting to drive my video work into gear) - but didn’t fit the narrative of the post.

02.03.2026 16:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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#IrelandWeek

02.03.2026 16:30 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Axel Desperes. #GoodPlayer

01.03.2026 21:55 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Yes, Maxime Lucu is playing.

But Dan Robson is the best scrum half currently on this pitch. Love the Top14 me.

01.03.2026 21:42 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0