Chiefs Coaches Excited to Give James His Club Debut

On the heels of a dominant U20 Six Nations campaign with England, back rower Kane James will this weekend make his Exeter Chiefs and Gallagher Premiership debuts when he takes to the field at Ashton Gate in a Derby Weekend re-match with Bristol Bears.

Likened at times to a very young Sam Simmonds, James has forged his own path in both the University of Exeter first team and an England U20 squad which possesses an abundance of back row talent – not least England’s newest debutant, Henry Pollock.

A World Rugby U20 Championship winner alongside club teammates Joe Bailey, Ben Coen and Louie Gulley in 2024, James is a highly rated prospect within the Chiefs ranks and one whom Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is pleased to be able to afford an opportunity to.

“We feel now is the right time to get Kane involved as he’s been bang on form,” Baxter said. “We’ve always tried, when we’ve been able, to bring young players into the team on the back of good form and I think that’s been important in producing success for us in the past.

“That’s where we feel we are with Kane now. He’s had a couple of man of the match performances for England U20 and he’s feeling confident about the way he’s playing. So, we think it’s the right time to put a confident, young player into the team – the energy and enthusiasm he’ll bring off the bench is something we’re looking forward to seeing.

“We’re very hopeful that he has a bright, long future at Exeter, and we just feel that now is the right opportunity to start his involvement with the first team. In some ways, it’s similar to Ben Coen who broke through in the Premiership Cup and will now start this weekend.

“We’d like to think it shows the trajectory we can bring some of these young players on.”

Hailing from Pembrokeshire, James got his first taste of rugby at St Peter’s Rugby Club in Cardiff. That first step on his rugby journey led to him cultivating his talent and ultimately getting his chance to join the wider Chiefs squad at the outset of the 2023/24 season.

A part of EURFC’s Bucs Super Rugby winning team last season, he has been indispensable for both his university and his nation so far this year.

His former England U20 coach and current Chiefs Defence Coach, Haydn Thomas, says this debut is a natural byproduct of James’ talent, commitment and drive.

“Kane has had a hugely successful time with the England U20 squad and he’s a very exciting young player that we’re delighted to have at the club,” Thomas said. “He’s extremely powerful and dynamic both sides of the ball as he has a lot of high action, high quality involvements throughout each game he plays in.

“The biggest thing for me is that his enthusiasm for the game is infectious. He’s a very energetic player and that rubs off on those around him.

“He’s created this opportunity for himself with standout performances for his country, notably with two man of the match awards, but a lot of it comes down to his fight and his work-rate.

“The England U20 v Ireland U20 game this year is a prime example where, in the dying seconds of the game, he makes a try-saving tackle in the corner. He just never gives up on anything.

“He’s a truly exciting prospect so we’re delighted to have him at the club and thoroughly looking forward to seeing him make his Premiership debut.”