Scaysbrook's Bath Rugby Boost

James, who has signed a two-year deal with the Recreation Ground club, has made eighty-two appearances since making his debut during the 2000-01 season and has earned England Under 21 recognition along the way. A highly dynamic player, James is an important member of the Bath Rugby squad this season and has been vying for England international flanker Michael Lipman for the number seven jersey.

"I am really pleased to be extending my stay with the club," said James yesterday. "I am settled here at Bath Rugby and feel that I am playing some good rugby. My aim now is to continue my development as a player and consistently challenge for that number seven jersey."

"The whole set up here is professional and Bath Rugby houses a really good environment to play rugby as the standard of coaching is superb and there is a really good team spirit. I am enjoying my rugby at the moment and am happy here so for me to extend the contract was an easy decision to make."

Director of Rugby Jack Rowell expressed his delight at James' contract extension, saying that he was a player with a big future in front of him. "James is a very promising young open side who is benefiting from increased exposure in the current campaign of Zurich Premiership and Heineken Cup rugby. As a player who has developed through the Bath Rugby system James' work rate on the field is matched by his enthusiasm and dedication off it. A hugely popular squad member he is a young player with undoubted potential. We are therefore naturally delighted that James has decided to pledge his immediate future to Bath Rugby."

Head coach John Connolly added, "We are pleased that James has signed a new contract," he said. "He is a very good young player who has performed well for the club this season. I am sure that he has a long career in front of him and will be in the mix for England recognition."

James and his Bath Rugby team mates are currently preparing for tomorrow's crunch Heineken Cup match against Leinster at the Rec (1pm). It is a must-win game for Bath if they are to keep their quarter-final hopes alive for at least another week. "This is a massive game for us," said James. "We have trained well this week and are in positive mood and are looking forward to what is likely to be a match of international intensity against a very good Leinster side.