Offloading - Tackling My Truth is the powerful and deeply personal memoir of former Wales and Lions rugby international Dafydd James, who poignantly and courageously reveals the human cost of achieving success in an elite sport that demanded everything.
Capped 48 times for Wales, and in all three Lions Tests on the 2001 tour of Australia, Dafydd enjoyed a highly distinguished 15-year playing career with three Welsh regions - Celtic Warriors, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues - and five first-class clubs - Bridgend, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Harlequins and Sale - during which he scored 129 tries and played in two Rugby World Cups.
At its heart, this is a very emotional story told with striking honesty, in which Dafydd provides a fascinating insider's view of professional rugby's early years and his immense pride at playing for Wales, but also discloses how the heavy mental toll of chasing greatness resulted in perpetual self-doubt and deep psychological insecurities that changed his life.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Jonny Wilkinson
Prologue
1. Out of Africa
2. Kenfig Hill
3. Professionalism
4. Pontypridd RFC
5. South Africa
6. Rejuvenation
7. Beating England at Wembley
8. Pumas and Springboks
9. Rugby World Cup 1999
10. Llanelli RFC
11. Lions 2001
12. Test Lion
13. Bridgend RFC
14. Hansen
15. Celtic Warriors to Harlequins
16. Scarlets Revisited
17. Rugby World Cup 2007
18. Collision Course
19. Self-disclosure
20. Deprivation
Epilogue
Career Statistics
About the Author :
A coach, colleague and confidant of Dafydd James for over 15 years, Trystan Bevan is a highly regarded elite performance coach who, over two decades, achieved considerable domestic and European success with the Cardiff Blues and Wasps, and is credited with developing hundreds of rugby players, including many British & Irish Lions. Trystan has a BA in Welsh Literature from Aberystwyth University, an MSc in Sports Science from Michigan State University, and authored Darren Campbell's memoir, Track Record (St. David's Press) in 2020.
Review :
"Dafydd James's story is a powerful reminder that we are never finished - that we are far bigger than who we think we are, and that anything is possible if we are courageous enough and willing enough to keep stepping forward into our vulnerability and into the unknown."
Jonny Wilkinson
“An outstanding rugby player. We’d try and get the ball in his hands as often as possible, as we knew he could score tries if he had a fraction of space.”
Neil Jenkins
“An intelligent and thoughtful guy with a lovely self-deprecating humour that makes for delightful company. He has addressed the struggles he has endured in his life with great honesty and fortitude which speaks volumes for Dafydd as a person. I’m proud to know him.”
Phil Steele
