Eddie James (rugby union)

Eddie James
Birth nameEddie James
Date of birth (2002-08-10) 10 August 2002 (age 22)
Place of birthCarmarthen, Wales
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb)
SchoolYsgol Bro Myrddin
Coleg Sir Gar
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Scarlets
Youth career
Carmarthen Quins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–2022 Carmarthen Quins 11 (15)
2022–2023 Llanelli 10 (13)
2023– Scarlets 24 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–2022 Wales U20 8 (0)
2024– Wales 1 (0)

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

Early years and amateur rugby

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

James was named as a replacement for a URC match against the Dragons on 23 April 2022, but did not come off the bench.[4]

James made his first appearance for the Scarlets on 2 September 2022, in a pre-season friendly against Bristol Bears, coming off the bench.[5]

James was named on the bench for the Scarlets in their URC matches against Connacht on 21 October 2022, and the Bulls on 27 January 2023, but was not used in either fixture.[6][7] 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.[8] James scored the final try as the Scarlets won 42–14.[9]

On 10 March 2023, James made his first start for the Scarlets, in a friendly against the Saracens.[10]

James made his first start in the league on 14 April 2023 against Glasgow Warriors, at inside centre.[11] The following week he signed a contract extension with the Scarlets, along with fellow centres Joe Roberts and Ioan Nicholas.[12]

James was named as the Coaches’ Breakthrough Player of the Season for the 2023–24 season.[13]

James was selected as Man of the Match on 25 October 2024 in a win over Zebre Parma, setting up a try for Macs Page.[14]

International career

Wales U18 and U20

James was selected for Wales at U18 level, but the season was disrupted due to Coronavirus.[15]

He was selected for Wales U20 for the delayed 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[16] James spent another year with the side, featuring in the 2022 tournament.[17]

Wales

On 6 June 2024, James was added to the Wales squad for the tour to Australia.[18] James made his debut on 22 June 2024 against South Africa, coming off the bench.[19]

James made his first start for Wales on 19 July 2024, in an uncapped friendly against Queensland Reds.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "Scarlets Academy sign up talented local duo". Scarlets Rugby. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Scarlets youngsters head to New Zealand". Scarlets Rugby. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Player – LLANELLI RFC". Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Dragons vs Scarlets". SkySports. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Connacht 36-14 Scarlets: Irish province earn URC bonus-point win in Galway". BBC Sport. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Impressive Scarlets beat Bulls with bonus point". BBC Sport. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Kalamafoni captains Scarlets v Edinburgh". BBC Sport. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  9. ^ "URC: Scarlets v Edinburgh - radio & text". BBC Sport. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Rising stars set for debuts against Sarries". Scarlets Rugby. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Glasgow and Scarlets ring changes for URC match". BBC Sport. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Centre trio sign new Scarlets contracts". BBC Sport. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Alex Craig and Ioan Nicholas pick up player of year awards". Scarlets Rugby. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  14. ^ Thomas, Steffan (28 October 2024). "Winners and losers as star puts down marker and embarrassing situation unfolds". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Eddie James makes the Welsh Under 20's Squad – CARMARTHEN QUINS : Official Website". Carmarthen Quins RFC. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Eddie James named in Wales U20s side to face France". Scarlets Rugby. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Wales U20 name Six Nations squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  18. ^ "James called up to Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  19. ^ "South Africa vs Wales at Twickenham - listen & follow". BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  20. ^ Doel, Jon (19 July 2024). "Wales 36 - 35 Queensland Reds Live: Last gasp try saves Welsh from defeat". Wales Online. Retrieved 19 July 2024.