The official Six Nations stats give James eight dominant contacts for the event thus far, he’s making 6.5 metres per carry and has racked up 61 post-contact metres, only one behind the rightly-lauded Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey.
The 23-year-old has taken his probability after an damage to Max Llewellyn, who began three video games alongside Thomas within the 2025 Six Nations and lined up at 13 within the autumn.
James has operated at inside centre for many of his senior profession however the return of Hawkins from Exeter noticed the pair resume a partnership they shaped with Wales Under-20s in 2021 and 2022.
After recovering from a again damage that meant he missed the primary block of the season, James has made eight of his 12 begins at exterior centre.
“I enjoy playing with Joe and we have a good relationship off the pitch as well,” he stated.
“The more games you play with any centre partner, the more you get more a feel for what they do and hopefully get better.
“He reads the sport nicely and understands it. He can carry and even be a ball participant whereas my strengths are my dimension and carrying skill.
“Starting at 13 has made me think about the game in different ways and it has added another string to my bow, getting the ball in space.”
