James French (rugby union)
{{Other uses|James French (disambiguation){{!}}James French}}
{{short description|Irish rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
|name = James French
|image =
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1998|11|22}}
|birth_place = Cork, Ireland
|height = {{height|m=1.85}}
|weight = {{convert|121|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
|position = Prop
|amatyears1 =2021-2022
|amatteam1 = UCC
|amatapps1 = 4
|amatpoints1 = 0
|amatyears2 =2022-23
|amatteam2 = Highfield
|amatapps2 = 6
|amatpoints2 = 7
|amatyears3 = 2023-24
|amatteam3 = Ballynahinch
|amatapps3 = 10
|amatpoints3 = 0
|years1 = 2021–2023
|clubs1 = Munster
|apps1 = 1
|points1 = 0
|years2 = 2023–2024
|clubs2 = Ulster
|apps2 = 4
|points2 = 0
|years3 = 2024-
|clubs3 = Cornish Pirates
|apps4 =
|points4 =
|clubupdate = 11 May 2024
|repyears1 = 2018
|repteam1 = Ireland U20
|repcaps1 = 5
|reppoints1 = 0
|repupdate = 16 March 2018
|spouse =
|children =
|relatives =
|school = Bandon Grammar School
|university = University College Cork
}}
James French (born 22 November 1998) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays as a prop for the Cornish Pirates.
Early life
Born in Cork, French attended Bandon Grammar School, during which time he was All-Ireland schoolboy shot put champion from his first to fifth years. He began playing rugby as a centre, before transitioning to the back-row, and, finally, to prop.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/james-french-ireland-scotland-u20s-3893614-Mar2018/|title=Bandon born and bred, French making quick progress after switch from back to front|date=9 March 2018|work=The42|access-date=12 December 2021}}
Munster
French joined the Munster academy ahead of the 2018–19 season,{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/07/05/greencore-munster-rugby-academy-confirmed/|title=Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed|date=5 July 2018|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} and, after completing the three-year academy programme, was promoted to the senior squad on a one-year contract ahead of the 2021–22 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2021/03/04/latest-player-contracts-confirmed/|title=Latest Player Contracts Confirmed|date=4 March 2021|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} Following the disruption caused by the province's recent tour to South Africa, French made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their opening 2021–22 Champions Cup fixture away to English club Wasps on 12 December 2021, starting in the 35–14 win for the province.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/munster-wasps-2021-report-5627863-Dec2021/|title=Munster's young guns thrill in wild and wonderful bonus-point win over Wasps|date=12 December 2021|work=The42|access-date=12 December 2021}} He signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in January 2022,{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2022/01/27/three-munster-players-sign-contract-extensions/|title=Three Munster Players Sign Contract Extensions|date=27 January 2022|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=27 January 2022}} but was released early from the contract in March 2023 to pursue a new playing opportunity.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/munster-squad-update-4-6020565-Mar2023/?lang=en|title=Hurley signs professional contract and Moore extends Munster deal|date=15 March 2023|work=The42|access-date=15 March 2023}}
Ulster
French joined United Rugby Championship club Ulster ahead of the 2023–24 season,{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulster-rugby-sign-former-all-ireland-shot-put-champion/1893588035.html|title=Ulster Rugby sign former All-Ireland shot put champion|date=18 May 2023|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=20 May 2023}} and left at the end of the season,{{Cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ulster-confirm-a-nine-strong-leavers-list-that-includes-dave-ewers/ |publisher=Rugby Pass|title=Ulster confirm a nine-strong leavers list that includes Dave Ewers|date=15 May 2024|accessdate=15 May 2024}} signing for the Cornish Pirates.[https://cornishstuff.com/2024/07/06/irish-prop-james-french-joins-cornish-pirates-a-boost-for-the-upcoming-season/ "Irish Prop James French Joins Cornish Pirates: A Boost For The Upcoming Season"], Cornish Stuff, 6 July 2024
Ireland
Selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2018/01/22/tommy-obrien-to-captain-ireland-under-20s-as-squad-is-announced/|title=Tommy O'Brien To Captain Ireland Under-20s As Squad Is Announced|date=22 January 2018|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} French featured off the bench in Ireland's opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018,{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/ntamack-at-the-double-for-france-under-20s-against-ireland/#report|title=Ntamack at the double for France Under-20s against Ireland|date=2 February 2018|work=Six Nations Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} before making further substitute appearances against Italy,{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/ireland-under-20s-edge-italy-in-a-thriller-at-donnybrook/#report|title=Ireland Under-20's edge Italy in a thriller at Donnybrook|date=9 February 2018|work=Six Nations Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} Wales,{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/bothams-double-helps-wales-under-20s-hold-on/#report|title=Botham's double helps Wales Under-20s hold on|date=23 February 2018|work=Six Nations Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} and England,{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/england-under-20s-beat-ireland-but-miss-out-on-title/#report|title=England Under-20s beat Ireland but miss out on title|date=16 March 2018|work=Six Nations Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} as well as earning a start against Scotland.{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/osullivan-double-fires-ireland-under-20s-to-victory/#report|title=O'Sullivan double fires Ireland Under-20s to victory|date=9 March 2018|work=Six Nations Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} French again won selection for the under-20s, this time in the squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2018/05/21/ireland-under-20-squad-named-for-world-rugby-u-20-championship-in-france/|title=Ireland Under-20 Squad Named For World Rugby U-20 Championship In France|date=21 May 2018|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}} though he was forced to withdraw from the squad before the opening fixture against France due to a tournament-ending knee injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report_nostats/ireland-under-20s-miss-out-on-french-scalp-in-tense-championship-opener/|title=Ireland Under-20s Miss Out On French Scalp In Tense Championship Opener|date=30 May 2018|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2018/06/02/five-changes-for-ireland-under-20s-clash-with-south-africa/|title=Five Changes For Ireland Under-20s' Clash With South Africa|date=2 June 2018|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=12 December 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sport links}}
- [https://www.munsterrugby.ie/player?PlayGuid=JF896660 Munster Senior Profile]
- [https://munsterrugby.ie/academy-player?PlayGuid=JF896660 Munster Academy Profile]
- [https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/player/?PlayGuid=JF896660&TeamId=1875 U20 Six Nations Profile]
- {{EPCR profile|JF896660}}
- [https://www.unitedrugby.com/clubs/munster/james-french URC Profile]
- [https://www.finalwhistle.ie/rugby/player/james-french/ James French at FinalWhistle.ie]
{{DEFAULTSORT:French, James}}
Category:People educated at Bandon Grammar School
Category:Rugby union players from Cork (city)
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:University College Cork RFC players