James settling in nicely at Chiefs

Newcomer Tom James may only have been at Sandy Park a matter of weeks, but already the Welshman says he is settling in well to life with the Exeter Chiefs.

One of a a handful of new recruits brought in by head coach Rob Baxter during the close season, James is clearly keen to make his mark in English rugby having spent the past six seasons with the Cardiff Blues.

The challenge of tackling English rugby’s elite sides was a key factor in the 26-year-old’s decision to join the Chiefs – and he knows the hard work put in by himself and his new colleagues during the current pre-season will be invaluable ahead of what promises to be another big year ahead for Devon’s finest.

“I’d been with the Blues for six seasons and I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted a change,” said James. “What better club to come to? A club with ambitions of getting in the top four and ambitions in the Heineken Cup.”

Ironically, the Chiefs have been paired alongside the Blues, Glasgow Warriors and holders Toulon in this season’s Heineken Cup and James says facing his former club will be “interesting.”

He added: “With Cardiff Blues in our group it should be interesting. It was destined to happen, I suppose. They’ve got so many talented players and it’s going to be a tough group to play in.”

The Chiefs have demonstrated, however, not just last season – but in the two previous years as well – that they themselves are a tough nut to crack and James has been suitably impressed by the work on show at his new club.

“The training has been second to none. It’s been really tough and what I expected,” he continued.

“When I came here in December to have a chat and I saw the boys training, I was thinking ‘that’s what I’ll be doing next year’. It’s been tough.

“Pre-season has been a bit different to what I’ve been used to, but I’ve improved already over the first two weeks and learned a few things.

“Pre-season is the same in most clubs, but I do think it’s a bit different here. The skills I’ve learned has been a bit extra and the fitness work as well, at the Blues we would probably have done a few more weights.

“We’ve had a few meetings, which is also different to the Blues. You have your own little file and you write everything down, that’s how you learn.

“We analyse teams and analyse what we’ve done in training as well to see what you can work on, whether it’s passing, high balls, tackling. They’re straight with you and tell you what you have to improve on. You’ve got to work hard and do what they say.”

With a few familiar faces also in tow at the Chiefs, including fly-half Ceri Sweeney who has also joined from the Blues this summer, James insists his move to the Westcountry has gone smoothly and now the main focus is trying to get a spot within the first-team.

“All we can do is work hard in training and hope it pays off on the field,” he said.

“That’s the way we work here and that’s the way it is. There are very good players here at the club, so I’ve got to work on my game, play well and hopefully keep my position.

“As I said, I wanted a fresh challenge and it’s certainly a fresh challenge here. I’m from the valleys in Wales and no one could believe it when I said I was leaving.

“I loved Cardiff but I wanted a fresh challenge and getting in the Premiership and testing myself against the best wingers in Britain – with the likes of Christian Wade and George North who’s gone to Northampton, and when we play the Blues I’ll be playing the likes of Cuthbert and Halfpenny – will be interesting.

“The main thing is just to get myself in the Chiefs team. We’ve got to get through pre-season now, hopefully I can play well in the friendlies and cement my place.”

Photos courtesy of Exeter Rugby Club / Pinnacle Photo Agency