Dafydd James

Dafydd Rhys James (born 24 July 1975) is a former Welsh international rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at centre. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. James was born in Mufulira, Zambia, but has earned 48 caps for Wales and three for the British & Irish Lions.[1] His clubs include; Kenfig Hill RFC, Llanelli, Bridgend, Pontypridd, Harlequins, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks and HKCC Rugby.

Dafydd James
Birth nameDafydd Rhys James
Date of birth (1975-07-24) 24 July 1975
Place of birthMufulira, Zambia
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄2 in)
Weight99 kg (15 st 8 lb; 218 lb)
SchoolBrynteg Comprehensive School
UniversitySwansea University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1995–1997
1997–1999
1999–2001
2001–2003
2003-2004
2004–2005
2005-2009
2009
2009-2010
2010
2010–2011		 Bridgend
Pontypridd
Llanelli
Bridgend
Celtic Warriors
Harlequins
Scarlets
Bridgend
Cardiff Blues
Sale
HKCC		 43
54
52
33
18
22
72
1
4
7		 (80)
(115)
(145)
(80)
(10)
(15)
(115)
(5)
(0)
(0)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996
1997
1995–2007
2001		 Wales U21
Wales A
Wales
British and Irish Lions		 1
1
48
3		 (0)
(0)
(75)
(5)

Domestic career

Dafydd James started his professional career at Bridgend RFC in 1995 after coming up through the ranks of Kenfig Hill RFC. After 43 club caps for Bridgend he moved to Pontypridd RFC in 1997, where he played his part in the infamous Battle of Brive (Heineken cup clash 1997) and went on to play 54 club caps in 2 years. In 1999 Dafydd moved to west Wales to play his rugby and enjoyed his first stint at Llanelli playing 52 games and scoring 145 points. He return to Bridgend in 2001( which later became the Celtic Warriors Regional side in 2003), 2004 saw Dafydd move to London to play for Harlequins, before being temped back to Wales only a year later to return for the Llanelli Scarlets where he stayed until 2009.

Dafydd scored over 565 points in his career and was the first to score over 25 tries in Heineken cup and scored 29 tries overall.

International career

Dafydd made his international debut in 1996 for Wales playing against Australia in Sydney and went on to win 51 caps in 11 years and scored 15 tries. His last cap came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

In 2001 Dafydd played all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in Australia, scoring one of their four tries in the opening Test victory.

Charity Work

Dafydd is a patron of Tenovus Cancer Care where he helps raising awareness for the Charity and takes part in fund raising. In 2015 Dafydd took part in a 350-mile bike ride from Cardiff to Paris and help raise over £50,000 for the Charity.

In 2012 Dafydd was involved in the celebrity Sports Relief Challenge which included cycling & running around the UK and Ireland. This was a Celebrity competition consisting of the four home nations and raised a total of £250,000.

TV and Radio

Since 2010 Dafydd has been a regular sports pundit for BBC TV & Radio, recently he has started work with ITV and Rte in Ireland.

Fitness & Motivation

Since 2009 Dafydd has been a motivational speaker, fitness coach and personal trainer.

References
  1. http://www.espnscrum.com/timeline/rugby/player/12274.html
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