The 21-year-old was a constant in Exeter’s side before injury struck back in January
Kane James(Image: Getty Images)
Kane James could be in line to feature in Wales’ summer squad, with the 21-year-old believed to have committed his future to the country of his birth.
The Haverfordwest-born back-row played his age-grade rugby for England U20s, while he is currently plying his trade with Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Prem. However, in a boost to Welsh rugby, James is understood to be in line for a maiden call-up by Wales’ senior side.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has previously spoken about holding direct talks with James, while the Welsh Rugby Union have long been quietly confident about getting him in a red jersey at senior level.
James had enjoyed a breakout campaign in Rob Baxter’s side during the first part of the season.
He featured in eight of Exeter’s first nine league matches, while he also played in all four of their European fixtures up until an ankle injury against Cardiff back in January.
That injury has kept him out in recent months, occurring just days before Wales’ Six Nations squad was announced – with James having been firmly in the mix.
James has yet to return to action, although the initial prognosis was around two to three months.
Any involvement with Wales this summer would rely on him returning to action and proving his fitness for Exeter in the final weeks of the season.
However, the impact he made at Sandy Park prior to his injury was clear.
“We’ve been picking him on merit – it’s not part of a development process, he’s been there because he’s been one of the better players,” said Baxter back in January.
Earlier this year, Wales coach Tandy revealed he had held direct talks with the back-row.
“I spoke to Kane lots,” he said. “I’ve spoken to lots of people but it’s more of a wider conversation.
“He’s a talented player. We talk about being connected to players and we are having conversations with lots of people because you never know when that opportunity may arise.”
He added: “He is definitely a player of interest as everyone is saying on TV.
“He’s an outstanding talent. He’s a great young man as well. Kane would have definitely been… there’s lots of decisions for Kane to make as well.
“Any Welsh-qualified talent that is out there we are always going to look at them and always be interested because I think we can’t just focus on here.
“We’ve got to branch out in how we look at things and look at the special talents we’ve had over the years. From my time in Scotland as well you get a lot of those gems that add value from different environments.
“It creates a different stimulus as well. Lots of my learnings happened when you are away in different environments. All those kinds of things opens your mind and add value to us on and off the field.”
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