Eddie James (born 10 August 2002) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for the Scarlets as a centre. He is a Wales under-20 international.
| Birth name | Eddie James | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 August 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Carmarthen, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (16 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ysgol Bro Myrddin Coleg Sir Gar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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, 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, 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]
International career edit
Wales U18 and U20 edit
James was selected for Wales at U18 level, but the season was disrupted due to Coronavirus.[11]
He was selected for Wales U20 for the delayed 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[12] James spent another year with the side, featuring in the 2022 tournament.[13]
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.
- ^ "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.