James McCarthy (rugby union)

James McCarthy
Date of birth	5 January 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Newport, Wales
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	88 kg (13.9 st; 194 lb)
School	Caerleon Comprehensive School; Newport High School
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Position(s)	Wing, Fullback
Amateur team(s)
Years	Team
	UL Bohemians; Cross Keys; Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Senior career
Years	Team
2019–2020	Dragons; Munster Rugby
International career
Years	Team
	Wales U18 Schools; Wales U18; Ireland U20
National sevens team
Years	Team
	Wales Sevens

James McCarthy (born 5 January 1999) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a wing or fullback.

Early life

McCarthy was born in Newport, Wales to an Irish father and a Welsh mother. He attended Caerleon Comprehensive School and Newport High School. He had been part of the Bristol Rovers academy and began playing rugby union aged 12, going on to represent Wales at under-18 schools level and scoring two tries in their win against Ireland under-18 schools in 2017, as well as being a member of the Newport Gwent Dragons academy.^[1]

Move to Ireland

Following his performances in his native Wales, McCarthy, who had been identified through the Irish Exiles pathway, was contacted by the Irish Rugby Football Union, who offered him a place in Munster's academy.^[1] McCarthy spent two seasons with the province, featuring for their 'A' team on a number of occasions, and earning five caps for Ireland under-20s and playing against Wales, before opting to return to Wales in April 2019.^[2]

Return to Wales

McCarthy rejoined Dragons upon his return to Wales,^[3] and was called up to the Wales Sevens squad in January 2020.^[4] Because McCarthy never played for Ireland Wolfhounds, Ireland's designated 'capture' team, he remained eligible for Wales selection.^[3] He was released by the Dragons at the end of the 2019–20 season.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b "'A team like Munster coming in for me, I was a bit star-struck really'". The42. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
^ "Ireland U20 winger drops out of Munster academy to return to Wales". The42. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
^ ^a ^b "Dragons sign Ireland U20s wing McCarthy after Munster exit". South Wales Argus. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
^ "Trio named by Wales Sevens". Dragons Rugby. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
^ "Cudd, Morgan and coach Jones on Dragons' list of leavers". South Wales Argus. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

External links

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[James_McCarthy_Munster-1] "'A team like Munster coming in for me, I was a bit star-struck really'". The42. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

[2] "Ireland U20 winger drops out of Munster academy to return to Wales". The42. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

[James_McCarthy_Dragons-3] "Dragons sign Ireland U20s wing McCarthy after Munster exit". South Wales Argus. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

[4] "Trio named by Wales Sevens". Dragons Rugby. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

[5] "Cudd, Morgan and coach Jones on Dragons' list of leavers". South Wales Argus. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

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