Wales given hands off message over rising star Kane James

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has issued a hands-off warning to the WRU, insisting there is no immediate prospect of highly rated England Under-20 No. 8 Kane James returning across the Severn Bridge.

Welsh officials are reportedly eyeing a move for James, who made his senior Chiefs debut with a 21-minute cameo in last weekend’s 52–38 defeat to Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

Pembrokeshire-born James, who was capped by Wales at Under-18 level, scored two tries in five games during this season’s U20 Six Nations and was part of the England squad that won the U20 World Championship in South Africa last year.

Boks Office select a Southern Hemisphere XV | RPTV

Boks Office is back as the guys select a Southern Hemisphere XV, amongst other things. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

Boks Office select a Southern Hemisphere XV | RPTV

Boks Office is back as the guys select a Southern Hemisphere XV, amongst other things. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

He began playing at St Peter’s Rugby Club in Cardiff aged seven and is currently studying for a three-year business and finance degree at Exeter University. He has been likened to a young Sam Simmonds.

But Baxter has warned Welsh bosses that any pursuit will likely be in vain. James is on an open-ended deal, similar to those held by team-mates Daf Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza. The arrangement allows him to remain in England while playing international rugby elsewhere.

“Kane is on an open-ended contract for this very reason. I don’t fear losing him at the minute because he is on a decent-length contract. He is contracted for another decent period of time until a renegotiation period opens.

“So it doesn’t bother me. We’re very hopeful that he has a bright, long future at Exeter. 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.

“If he trains and plays like he deserves to play, that’s how a young Sam Simmonds and a young Dave Ewers got into the team. They trained and played like they deserved to be there. So that’s why we picked them,” said Baxter.