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Kane James

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Kane James
Born (2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 21)[1]
Haverfordwest, Wales
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Weight98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
SchoolSedbergh School
Rugby union career
Position Number 8
Current team Exeter Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– Exeter Chiefs 16 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024–2025 England U20 19 (30)
2026– Wales 1 (0)

Kane James (born 26 March 2005) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays in the back row for Exeter Chiefs and the Wales national team.

Early life

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Born in Wales, he is from Haverfordwest, he began playing rugby at the age of seven year-old in Cardiff for St Peter's Rugby Club where he played until he was 16 years-old. He received a scholarship to attend Sedbergh School in Cumbria, and part of the Newcastle Falcons academy before moving to Exeter Chiefs.[3][4]

Career

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He represented Wales at under-18 level.[5] He then played for the England U20 side which won the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship.[6][7] He went on to pay for England U20 in the 2025 U20 Six Nations, with his performances including a try in a win over France U20 in Bath on 7 February 2025.[8]

He made his senior debut for Exeter Chiefs on 23 March 2025, in a 52-38 defeat to Bristol Bears in the Rugby Premiership.[9] In June 2025, he was named in the England U20 squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.[10]

James confirmed his international allegiance with Wales, and was selected by Steve Tandy for the 2026 Nations Championship.[11][12] On 11 July, he was made his senior international debut as a replacement for Wales against Argentina during the 2026 Nations Championship.[13][14]

Personal life

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He was born in Wales where his father Chris played for Swansea. His mother is from Niue in the Pacific Islands. His sister Crystal plays for Wales.[5][15]

Honours

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England U20

References

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  1. ↑ "Kane James". Its Rugby. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Kane James". All Rugby. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  3. ↑ Thomas, Steffan (14 January 2024). "Huge Welsh rugby talent plays for England and is now set to face Wales next month". Walesonline. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  4. ↑ Jaycock, Ben (24 May 2024). "Young Guns: Exeter & England U20 back row Kane James". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 Westerby, John (13 March 2025). "England U20 stars who could follow Henry Pollock into seniors". The Times. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Morgan, Charlie (20 July 2024). "England U20: Where the world champions will be playing next season". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  7. ↑ Jones, John (13 March 2024). "The Welsh-qualified players who just won the Six Nations... with England". Walesonline. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "England U20s maintain impressive start with win over France". BBC Sport. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  9. ↑ Fissler, Neil (28 March 2025). "Wales given hands off message over rising star Kane James". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  10. ↑ Raisey, Josh (19 June 2025). "England name squad for U20 world title defence with 8 champions returning". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Wales name six uncapped players in 48-man squad for summer matches". BBC Sport. 2026-05-11. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  12. ↑ Griffiths, Gareth (11 May 2026). "James and Bradley among six uncapped Wales call-ups". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  13. ↑ Griffiths, Gareth (12 July 2026). "Argentina provide reality check for Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Griffiths, Gareth (9 July 2026). "Wales drop Rees-Zammit to bench as Costelow starts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Schofield, Danny; Hopton, Toby (24 Sep 2025). "The young players to watch at every Prem club". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
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