David James (rugby, born 1866)

For the rugby union and rugby league footballer of the 1930s for Wales and Treorchy (RU), and Wales and Leeds (RL), see David James (rugby born 1906). For the current rugby league footballer for South Wales Scorpions, see David James (rugby league).

David James
Rugby league career

Full name	David James
Place of birth	Swansea, Wales
Place of death	Bonymaen, Wales^[1]
Height	5ft. 6ins.^[2]
Notable relative(s)	Evan James (brother)
Position	Halfback
Professional clubs
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1892-1896 1899-?	Broughton Broughton
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Half-back
Amateur clubs
Years	Club / team
1889-1892 1896-1899	Swansea RFC Swansea RFC
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1891-1899	Wales^[3]	4	(0)

David James (c.1866 - 2 January 1929) was a Welsh international rugby union half back who played club rugby for Swansea. While playing with Swansea, James was paired with his brother, Evan James and together they were nicknamed the 'Swansea gems' and the 'Curly haired marmasets'.

Rugby career

James was first capped for his country on 7 March 1891, against Ireland at Stradey Park. James turned out for Wales alongside his brother to keep their Swansea partnership together and in the match against Scotland a year later, were one of three pairs of brothers on the pitch; the others being the Orr's and Nielson's for Scotland. James would also play against Ireland in 1892, but his fourth and final cap took another seven years when he turned out against England in 1899.

In 1892, James and his brother supposedly turned out for professional rugby league team Broughton Rangers, after which the Rugby Football Union banned them both from rugby union. In 1896, an appeal from Swansea and Wales was successful and the brothers were reinstated. On 28 January, three weeks after their final cap, David and Evan actually joined Broughton Rangers, and severed their links with rugby union.

International matches played^[4]

England 1899
Scotland 1892
Ireland 1891, 1892

Bibliography

Parry-Jones, David (1999). Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby. Bridgend: seren. ISBN 1-85411-262-7.
Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.

References

↑ Swansea RFC player profile
↑ Parry-Jones (1999), pg 31.
↑ Welsh Rugby Union player profile
↑ Smith (1980), pg 467.

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