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.

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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.