Mel James

Mel James ( (1948-02-21) 21 February 1948) is a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Resolven RFC, and Swansea RFC, and playing at representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, as a prop, i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums.

Playing career

International honours

Mel James won caps for the Wales (RL) while at St. Helens in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against England, in 1978 against France, England, and Australia, in 1979 against France and England, in 1980 against France and England, and in 1981 against France and England (2 matches).

World Club Challenge final appearances

Mel James was a Substitute in St. Helens 2-25 defeat by the 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 29 June 1976.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Mel James played as an Interchange/Substitute (replacing prop John Mantle) in St. Helens' 20-5 victory over Widnes in the 1976 Challenge Cup final during the 1975–76 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1976.