By Graham Thomas
IT has taken Tom James six years, one apology, and a new spirit of forgiveness from Warren Gatland for the wandering wing to find his way back into the Wales team.
The Cardiff Blues player, 29, was last capped in 2010 when both the Gatland era and James were still youthful. His first spell in Test rugby did not last long and amounted to just 10 caps spread over three years.
It ended in acrimony when James – a former cross-country athlete who was a late convert to rugby – did a runner from the Wales training camp because of frustrations over the selection ahead of him of 18-year-old Tom Prydie for a match against Italy. He had some “previous”, too, as in 2008 he described his limited game time for Wales in South Africa as “rubbish” and “pointless”.
James’ career went into a downward spiral and it required a move to England and the Exeter Chiefs for him to rediscover his mojo.
Anyone who has been to Sandy Park recently will understand that the Devon club – backed by a passionate home support, clever marketing, and a shrewd coach in Rob Baxter – is the perfect place for any rugby player to rebuild his career and reputation.
“The coaches there helped improve my all-round game and everyone has seen the difference since I returned to the Blues,” said James.
“I went away and grew up. I made mistakes with Wales in the past and I know I was not playing well enough to be selected. I was emotional after the team was read out and it will be like winning my first cap on Sunday.”
His form for the Blues this season – which has included eight tries in 12 matches – has been notable, but Gatland appeared to have a habit of losing players’ phone numbers after they had questioned his selection choices. Adam Jones, for one, no longer appears to be on speed dial.
Gatland, though, seems to see something in James that was easy to forgive – a naivety, perhaps, or vulnerability that made him appear more like a player 10 years younger when he was paraded in front of the media following his recall.
“Young men make mistakes and do things they regret,” said Gatland. “You have to give the coaches credit for not dwelling on the past when someone was a little immature. Tom has come back a different person. We’ve recognised that and can start again. It’s about what he’s achieved on the field at the moment. He deserves his opportunity.”
James was always keen to return to Wales and understood it would considerably increase his chances of playing again for his country.
But his power and explosiveness has been revelation – enough for his Blues teammate and Wales captain Warburton to liken him to a Pacific Island style wing.
James added: “Since coming back I’ve been scoring a lot of tries. That’s come from being around the family and I have a new baby on the way.
“Everything’s going well. As soon as I have the ball in my hands I have the confidence I can beat anyone. Hopefully, I can show that in a way I didn’t when I played for Wales in the past.”
Asked what advice Gatland had given him, James added: “I had a chat with him earlier and he just told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Sunday is going to be the same as winning my first cap. When you play for Wales you always get the same adrenalin and buzz.”
Gatland wants James to play with the same freedom and expressiveness he has shown for the Blues this season. In fact, he insists that is how he wants everyone to play this year – including all opposition.
“I would like to see the championship being open. The end of last year’s tournament showed what sides are capable of when the shackles are off. I would like to see players have the freedom to play and be positive, but results have become more important than performances.
“I hope the weather on Sunday allows us to play a bit of rugby and get Justin Tipuric into the wide channels. We know with Ireland that we will have a challenge to rise to.”
