WALES ace James winging to Chiefs from Cardiff Blues

Details

Created on Thursday, 24 January 2013 07:47

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 January 2013 16:52

Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 07:47

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has made his first signing for next season with the capture of Wales international wing Tom James from the Cardiff Blues.

The highly rated 25-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the ambitious Aviva Premiership club and is set to team up with Chiefs after a successful seven-year stint with the Welsh region.

Capped 10 times by Wales, James was on the score sheet when the Blues defeated Gloucester 50-12 in 2008 to lift the EDF Energy Cup and was also part of Cardiff's Amlin Challenge Cup winning squad of 2010.

With 39 tries in 114 appearances for the Blues, Baxter believes his new recruit will help offer additional firepower to his attacking arsenal for next season.

"Obviously we are delighted to have got Tom on board," said Baxter. "Each year what you have to try and do is progress and move forward as a squad. We've had a good look at Tom over a period of time and for us it's difficult to ignore proven try-scorers, who have got a very good ability to break the gain line.

"One of Tom's biggest attributes is his ability to beat that first tackle from almost any scenario and I think that is the biggest qualities you need when you come up against big, strong defences.

"He is a very professional trainer, he's in exceptionally good physical nick; he's incredibly quick and, as I said, he has a great ability to beat the first defence and those are key attributes for us."

James joined the Blues in 2006 from Merthyr RFC and wasted little time in making an impression at his new club scoring a try on his first-team debut against Edinburgh.

Since then the hard-running winger has represented Wales as a full international and in Under 20s and sevens.

• visit Cardiff Blues official website

• visit Exeter Chiefs official website

• < Prev
• Next >