Eddie James (rugby union)
Birth name | Eddie James | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 10 August 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Carmarthen, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 110 kg (243 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Ysgol Bro Myrddin Coleg Sir Gar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eddie James (born 10 August 2002) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for the Scarlets and Wales national team as a centre.
Professional career
[edit]Early years and amateur rugby
[edit]James first played for the Carmarthen Quins youth team, and attended Ysgol Bro Myrddin.[1] He attended Coleg Sir Gar, where he played before joining the Scarlets academy in 2020.[1]
To gain further experience, James went to New Zealand in 2022 to spend three months with Linwood RFC, alongside fellow academy player Sam O'Connor.[2]
James played for both the Quins and Llanelli RFC while attached to the Scarlets academy, making 13 appearances for Llanelli in what was to be their final season in the Welsh Premiership.[3]
Scarlets
[edit]James made his first appearance for the Scarlets on 2 September 2022, in a pre-season friendly against Bristol Bears, coming off the bench.[4]
James was named on the bench for the Scarlets in their URC match against the Bulls on 27 January 2023, but was not used.[5] He was again selected in the squad to play Edinburgh on 18 February 2023, coming off the bench in the second half to make his competitive debut.[6] James scored the final try as the Scarlets won 42–14.[7]
On 10 March 2023, James made his first start for the Scarlets, in a friendly against the Saracens.[8]
James made his first start in the league on 14 April 2023 against Glasgow Warriors, at inside centre.[9] The following week he signed a contract extension with the Scarlets, along with fellow centres Joe Roberts and Ioan Nicholas.[10]
James was named as the Coaches’ Breakthrough Player of the Season for the 2023–24 season.[11]
International career
[edit]Wales U18 and U20
[edit]James was selected for Wales at U18 level, but the season was disrupted due to Coronavirus.[12]
He was selected for Wales U20 for the delayed 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[13] James spent another year with the side, featuring in the 2022 tournament.[14]
Wales
[edit]On 6 June 2024, James was added to the Wales squad for the tour to Australia.[15] James made his debut on 22 June 2024 against South Africa, coming off the bench.[16]
James made his first start for Wales on 19 July 2024, in an uncapped friendly against Queensland Reds.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Scarlets Academy sign up talented local duo". Scarlets Rugby. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Scarlets youngsters head to New Zealand". Scarlets Rugby. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Player – LLANELLI RFC". Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ James, Ben (2 September 2022). "Scarlets v Bristol team news and kick-off time as All Blacks star gets debut". WalesOnline. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Impressive Scarlets beat Bulls with bonus point". BBC Sport. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Kalamafoni captains Scarlets v Edinburgh". BBC Sport. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "URC: Scarlets v Edinburgh - radio & text". BBC Sport. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Rising stars set for debuts against Sarries". Scarlets Rugby. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Glasgow and Scarlets ring changes for URC match". BBC Sport. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Centre trio sign new Scarlets contracts". BBC Sport. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Alex Craig and Ioan Nicholas pick up player of year awards". Scarlets Rugby. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ "Eddie James makes the Welsh Under 20's Squad – CARMARTHEN QUINS : Official Website". Carmarthen Quins RFC. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Eddie James named in Wales U20s side to face France". Scarlets Rugby. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Wales U20 name Six Nations squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "James called up to Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "South Africa vs Wales at Twickenham - listen & follow". BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Doel, Jon (19 July 2024). "Wales 36 - 35 Queensland Reds Live: Last gasp try saves Welsh from defeat". Wales Online. Retrieved 19 July 2024.