Tom James (rugby player)

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Tom James


caption =
birthname = Thomas James
nickname = The Bullet
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|4|11
placeofbirth = Rhymney, Wales
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
weight = 15 st 8 lbs (99 kg)
ru_position = Wing|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears = 2005-2006
2006-
ru_amateurclubs = Merthyr Tydfil RFC
Cardiff RFC
ru_amclubcaps = ?
?
ru_amclubpoints = (?)
(?)
ru_amupdate = 09:34, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
ru_nationalteam = Wales
ru_nationalyears = 2007 - Present
ru_nationalcaps = 2
ru_nationalpoints = (0)
ru_ntupdate = 16:54, 24 November 2007 (UTC)
ru_clubyears = 2006 - Present
ru_proclubs = Cardiff Blues
ru_clubcaps = 23
ru_clubpoints = (50)
ru_clubupdate = 10:41, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
ru_currentclub = Cardiff Blues
ru_province =
ru_provinceyears =
ru_provincecaps =
ru_provincepoints =
ru_provinceupdate =
ru_sevensnationalyears = 2007 - Present
ru_sevensnationalteam = Wales
ru_sevensnationalcomp =
ru_sevensupdate = 09:34, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other =
occupation =
family =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =

Tom James (born 17 April 1987 in Rhymney) is a Welsh rugby union footballer.

He was a former Welsh athlete before turning to rugby. His older brother, Robbie, is a professional welterweight boxer and former Welsh ABA Champion.

After turning to rugby, he joined Merthyr Tydfil RFC on the wing, they helped Tom "bulk up" ready for life with plenty of hard knocks in rugby. After a successful year at Merthyr Tom joined Cardiff RFC at the start of the 2006-07 season. Tom scored 11 tries in just 9 games to open the season which made his regional side (with whom he had an academy contract) take note. He was immediately put into the 22 man squad for the Cardiff Blues trip to Edinburgh in the Magners League. He came off the bench mid way through the second half and within minutes had marked his regional debut with a try.

His rise through Welsh rugby continued and during the 2006-07 season he joined the Wales Sevens team for a number of games. Following the 2006-07 season he was called up to the Welsh national squad for the summer tour of Australia, although he did not play a game on the tour.

During the build up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup he was a part of the National Teams 40 man squad and made his debut for his country against England in August 2007. When the 40 man squad was cut to 30 at the end of August Tom was out and he returned to Cardiff Blues for the Magners League season. A slight knock kept him out of the first few games of the 2007-08 season. He came back shortly after the start, firstly playing a game for Cardiff RFC before starting the Blues away game against Munster in which he scored two tries. The following week he started again at home against Connacht and scored two more tries late on helping the Blues to a bonus point win.

On the Welsh summer tour to South Africa in 2008, Tom spoke out against Warren Gatlands selection policy. Tom was disappointed not to get more game time whilst on tour. This sparked support from many Cardiff Blues fans who had been in awe of his performances for the Blues.

Tom was top try scorer in the Magners League in the 2007-08 season, an amzing feat considering that he was injured for part of the season and suffered a very nasty illness

References

External links

* [http://www.cardiffblues.com/476_516.php Cardiff profile]
* [http://www.wru.co.uk/2634_9234.php Wales profile]