James Fender

Last updated

James Fender
Birth nameJames Fender
Date of birth (2001-08-03) 3 August 2001 (age 22)
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Height200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Weight121 kg (19 st 1 lb)
School Bishopston Comprehensive School
University Neath Port Talbot College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Ospreys
Youth career
South Gower RFC
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020– Ospreys 4 (0)
2022–Cornish Pirates (loan) 9 (5)
Correct as of 22 March 2023
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020–2021 Wales U20 9 (0)
Correct as of 15 October 2022

James Fender is a Welsh professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club the Ospreys.

Contents

Professional career

As a youth player, Fender was part of the Ospreys academy. He played for South Gower and Neath Port Talbot College, [1] as well as Swansea RFC. [2]

For the 2022–2023 season, Fender was loaned to RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates. [3]

Fender represented Wales U20 in the U20 Six Nations tournament in 2020 and 2021. [4]

Fender was recalled to the Ospreys squad ahead of their URC tour to South Africa, and made his debut as a replacement on 26 November 2022, against the Bulls. [5]

Fender was named as Man of the Match on 26 December 2023, as the Ospreys beat the Scarlets 25–11. [6] Following his early season performances, Fender was named as a top breakthrough player for 2023. [7] He was tipped for a place in the Wales squad ahead of the 2024 Six Nations, but suffered a shoulder injury in January 2024, ruling him out long term. [8]

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References

  1. Orders, Mark (13 June 2019). "The six Welsh rugby teens who've today been given their big chance to make it". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  2. "Player – SWANSEA RFC". Swansea RFC. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  3. "James Fender: Cornish Pirates bring in Ospreys lock on loan". BBC Sports. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. "Wales U20 squad announced for Six Nations - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  5. Orders, Mark (25 November 2022). "Bulls v Ospreys team news as old Wales warhorse returns for visitors". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  6. "Top Performers: Ospreys v Scarlets". www.ultimaterugby.com. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  7. James, Ben (19 December 2023). "The breakthrough Welsh rugby players of 2023 ranked". Wales Online. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  8. Jones, John (16 January 2024). "The other big players missing from the Wales squad amid Rees-Zammit drama". Wales Online. Retrieved 20 January 2024.