Kane James

Kane James

Born	(2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 20) [1] Haverfordwest, Wales
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) [2]
Weight	98 kg (216 lb)
School	Sedbergh School
Rugby union career
Position Number 8 Current team Exeter Chiefs Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2024- Exeter Chiefs 8 (0) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2023 Wales U18 2024-2025 England U20

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

Early life

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

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]

Personal life

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] [11]}

Honours

England U20

• World Rugby Under 20 Championship
  • Champion (1): 2024

References

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. 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. Schofield, Danny; Hopton, Toby (24 Sep 2025). "The young players to watch at every Prem club". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2025.