Dafydd Hughes

Born on 8 January 1996, Dafydd Hughes is a Welsh back-row forward who plays his club rugby for Cardiff Rugby. A flanker by trade, Hughes built his game around a high work rate and a willingness to compete for every ball at the breakdown, the hallmark of an effective openside operator. He came through the regional pathway in the Welsh capital before establishing himself in the Cardiff squad, where he offers a reliable defensive option in the loose forwards. On the field Hughes is valued for his tackling and his appetite for the less glamorous parts of forward play — clearing rucks, chasing kicks and supporting ball-carriers through the contact area. That industry, combined with his physical edge, makes him a useful presence in a back row that prizes mobility and turnover threat. As a senior member of the Cardiff group, he continues to add depth and competition to the province’s back-row options across the United Rugby Championship and European campaigns.