Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Tom James' career at Cardiff is over a year earlier than planned

By Online Editors
Tom James has joined Scarlets after leaving Cardiff a year early by mutual consent (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Tom James will leave Cardiff Blues at the end of the month, despite still having a year remaining on his contract. The 32-year-old has made 163 appearances and established himself as the region’s all-time top try-scorer with 60.

ADVERTISEMENT

With the full support of Cardiff Blues, James took an extended break from the game to receive treatment for depression during the 2017/18 season but returned to competitive action in January. However, it has now been mutually agreed that the Wales international will depart the Arms Park with the best wishes of the entire region.

James said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me, and I would’ve liked to have pulled on a Cardiff Blues jersey one last time but I’m very grateful for the times I’ve had. The Blues have been unbelievable to me.

“Throughout my break from the game everyone was so supportive, from teammates and coaches to directors and supporters, but particularly the team doctor Gareth Jones, sports psychologist Dale Thomas and our WRPA representative Phil Davies who have been amazing.

“Cardiff Blues gave me that time off that I needed and stood beside me, and when I came back in, they have really looked after me.

“It was tough coming back in for pre-season following a long break and that also led to lots of little niggles that stunted my progress. That must have been frustrating for the coaches as well, but when you look at how well the other wings have been performing then you can understand.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But over the last two months I’ve really felt like I am hitting my peak again. I have been pleased with my form in the Premiership and while that is a different level, I feel I stand out.

“I’ll just see what happens now. I will be training hard over the summer and if another professional contract comes up then I will definitely look at it with my family because I’m 100 per cent confident I can still do a job at the top level. I really wanted to get back into that Cardiff Blues first team, but it wasn’t to be.”

Cardiff chief executive Richard Holland led the tributes to James. “Tom leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Cardiff Blues and will remain very much part of our extended family. We’re committed to supporting former players and TJ is no different.

“He has been a great servant to Cardiff Blues, who has achieved so much over more than a decade with the region. I don’t think anyone will ever forget that try he scored against Leicester in the Heineken Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Naturally, as a prolific try-scorer he has been a firm fans favourite at the Arms Park and it remains to be seen whether anyone will reach his try-scoring record. He will be missed at the Arms Park but we wish Tom and his young family all the best for his next chapter.”

WATCH: The RugbyPass behind the scenes documentary on the 2018 Guinness PRO14 final

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Verblitz v Sungoliath | Full Match Replay

Stronger Than You Think | S2 Ep 2 | Lola Lovinfosse

Boks Office | Episode 9 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Beyond 80 | Episode 4

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Who can truly be called the best rugby side in the world

Justin Marshall | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Sevens Challenger Montevideo - Day 3

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Adrian 1 hours ago
Reds are carrying the Australian flag on and off the pitch

Thanks Nick, and totally correct. Definately too many teams which is unfortunately an effect of the 21st century hubris that began after our 2nd World Cup win. Honestly we weren't like that before then. If NZ beat us in a Rugby League or cricket series (which has occasionally happened) they don't all of a sudden think they are our equal or even better than us. Unfortunately for Australia, we got carried away with ourselves and wanted to jump from 4th biggest football code to biggest…in 5 minutes. More teams, more matches against the All Blacks (so we could beat them even more). Bring it on. It’s been all down hill since then. Assuming Melbourne are gone, there are very good reasons to keep the remaining 4 in SR, or so it would seem. The Force?…wronged previously, and have $s. Surely not. The Brumbies?….easily the best performed. Surely not. The Waratahs?….most players (50%) and most followers. Surely not. The Reds?….easily the best current team, and nearly as many players and followers as the Waratahs. Surely not. I’d argue that based on how strong the combined Reds n Rebs would be and how strong a combined team of all of the other Oz SR teams would be, we have players for 2 teams…..which would be good. Good enough for a propper SR competition…or maybe good enough for Japan….if they’ll have us. Existing SR teams?….keep them and have them play a second tier…or maybe NZ's NRC….if they'll have us. This is biting the bullet. We have the cattle

1 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change

Thanks, Nick, not only for this fine article, but for all the others during 6N 2024. I really enjoyed this 2024 tournament, and felt it was one of the best for many years. That final match in Lyons was really good. England were certainly unlucky when that speculative hack by Ramos lead to a French try. It could just so easily have landed in English hand.s, and they score at the other end. I did think though that the French played some great rugby, and some of their driving play in the forwards was just fearsome. I watched Meafou with interest, and he has a good start to his career. It is interesting to compare him with Will Skelton. Lot of similarities, though so far Meafou has not shown any offloading threat. All credit to Borthwick for being prepared to change, and what great result, even if that last game was lost at the death. I feel they are a real chance to cause the AB’s problems this winter/summer. Finally a comment on Ireland. I thought their last game was their worst, and they did not look like the world’s No 2 side at all. What really worries me is that the loss to England was, in my view, down to poor decision making by the coaching group, and ofc Andy Farrell wears that. It was a big mistake to move JGP away from scrum half. Murray should have been the one to go to the wing. And the “finishers” should have been on the field earlier. And this is the second time this has happened. The RWC Qf against the AB’s, and not getting Crowley onto the field was a huge mistake. Finally, finally, watching Italy play was a joy. How wonderful that they are no longer the punchbag of the 6 N.

44 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Andy Farrell: 'South Africa are 100 per cent the best' Andy Farrell: 'South Africa are 100 per cent the best'
Search