David James (rugby, born 1866)

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 (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

David James

Birth name	David James
Date of birth	1866
Place of birth	Swansea, Wales
Date of death	1929 (aged 62–63)
Place of death	Bonymaen, Wales
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Notable relative(s)	Evan James (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Half-back Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1889-92 Swansea RFC () 1896-99 Swansea () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1891-99 Wales 4 (0)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Position	Halfback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1892–96 Broughton 1899- Broughton Total 0 0 0 0 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

• England 1899
• Scotland 1892
• Ireland 1891, 1892

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.