James French (rugby union)

For other uses, see James French.

James French

Date of birth	(1998-11-22) 22 November 1998 (age 24)
Place of birth	Cork, Ireland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	121 kg (19.1 st; 267 lb)
School	Bandon Grammar School
University	University College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) UCC () Highfield () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2021–2023 Munster 1 (0) 2023– Ulster 2 (0) Correct as of 4 November 2023 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2018 Ireland U20 5 (0) Correct as of 16 March 2018

James French (born 22 November 1998) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays as a prop.

Early life

Born in Cork, French attended Bandon Grammar School, during which time he was All-Ireland schoolboy shot put champion from his first to fifth years. He began playing rugby as a centre, before transitioning to the back-row, and, finally, to prop. ^[1]

Munster

French joined the Munster academy ahead of the 2018–19 season, ^[2] and, after completing the three-year academy programme, was promoted to the senior squad on a one-year contract ahead of the 2021–22 season. ^[3] Following the disruption caused by the province's recent tour to South Africa, French made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their opening 2021–22 Champions Cup fixture away to English club Wasps on 12 December 2021, starting in the 35–14 win for the province. ^[4] He signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in January 2022, ^[5] but was released early from the contract in March 2023 to pursue a new playing opportunity. ^[6]

Ulster

French will join United Rugby Championship club Ulster ahead of the 2023–24 season. ^[7]

Ireland

Selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, ^[8] French featured off the bench in Ireland's opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018, ^[9] before making further substitute appearances against Italy, ^[10] Wales, ^[11] and England, ^[12] as well as earning a start against Scotland. ^[13] French again won selection for the under-20s, this time in the squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, ^[14] though he was forced to withdraw from the squad before the opening fixture against France due to a tournament-ending knee injury. ^{[15] [16]}

References

1. "Bandon born and bred, French making quick progress after switch from back to front". The42 . 9 March 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
2. "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
3. "Latest Player Contracts Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
4. "Munster's young guns thrill in wild and wonderful bonus-point win over Wasps". The42 . 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
5. "Three Munster Players Sign Contract Extensions". Munster Rugby. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
6. "Hurley signs professional contract and Moore extends Munster deal". The42 . 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
7. "Ulster Rugby sign former All-Ireland shot put champion". Belfast Telegraph . 18 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
8. "Tommy O'Brien To Captain Ireland Under-20s As Squad Is Announced". Irish Rugby. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
9. "Ntamack at the double for France Under-20s against Ireland". Six Nations Rugby. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
10. "Ireland Under-20's edge Italy in a thriller at Donnybrook". Six Nations Rugby. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
11. "Botham's double helps Wales Under-20s hold on". Six Nations Rugby. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
12. "England Under-20s beat Ireland but miss out on title". Six Nations Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
13. "O'Sullivan double fires Ireland Under-20s to victory". Six Nations Rugby. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
14. "Ireland Under-20 Squad Named For World Rugby U-20 Championship In France". Irish Rugby. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
15. "Ireland Under-20s Miss Out On French Scalp In Tense Championship Opener". Irish Rugby. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
16. "Five Changes For Ireland Under-20s' Clash With South Africa". Irish Rugby. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2021.

External links

• James French at ESPNscrum
• James French at ItsRugby.co.uk
• Munster Senior Profile
• Munster Academy Profile
• U20 Six Nations Profile
• James French at European Professional Club Rugby
• URC Profile