David James (rugby, born 1866)

David James (c. 1866 – 2 January 1929) was a Welsh international rugby union halfback 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 marmosets'. He had three younger brothers, Claude, Sam and Willie, the latter two playing at the same level as David and Evan towards the end of their careers

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
Birth nameDavid James
Date of birth1866
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Date of death1929 (aged 62–63)
Place of deathBonymaen, Wales[1]
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Notable relative(s)Evan James (brother)
Rugby league career
Position(s) Halfback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1892-96 Broughton ()
1899-? Broughton ()
Rugby union career
Position(s) Half-back
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1889-92 Swansea RFC ()
1896-99 Swansea RFC ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1891-99 Wales[3] 4 (0)

Rugby career

James was first capped for Wales 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]

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