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Carwyn Rees James (2 November 1929 – 10 January 1983) Carwyn James rugby profile Scrum.com was a Welsh rugby union player and coach. He won two Welsh international caps but is most famous for his coaching achievements with the rugby club Llanelli RFC and the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians, with all of whom he beat the All Blacks.
At Aberystwyth University in his first year he studied Geography, Philosophy, Welsh History and Welsh, and Welsh alone in his final year.
He was capped for Wales twice in 1958, the second time at centre, but would probably have gained more caps had he not been in competition with Cliff Morgan for the fly-half spot.
James was coach of the 1971 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, the only Lions side ever to win a series against the All Blacks.
James then continued to coach Llanelli. He coached them to the famous victory over the All Blacks at Stradey Park, Llanelli, in 1972. He then coached them to four Welsh Cups between 1973 and 1976.
James also coached the Barbarians to victory over the All Blacks in 1973, including being credited with man management to stimulate Phil Bennett to make his famous sidestepping run that day.
He then coached in Italy, at Rugby Rovigo, from 1977 to 1980, winning a title.
James never coached the Welsh national side, largely because of his belief that the coach should chair the selectors' meetings and be responsible for choosing the other selectors. At one stage he applied for the role but then withdrew his application.
Mervyn Davies said, "He invited us to take personal responsibility for our role but without ever telling us what to do." Mike Gibson said, "We were free to express our ability, free to attack from any situation." He said in some training sessions James would run behind the backs, shouting 'Think! Think! Think!'
James was a strong believer in attacking rugby, with the attitude that if a team had possession of the ball it should be able to attack, regardless of the position on the field.
James never married, and is believed by many to have struggled with loneliness and possibly been homosexual.
James suffered serious eczema. Always a smoker, he also consumed significant alcohol in his later years.
Due to his coaching in Italy, an international tournament, called "Carwyn James Easter Trophy", is held in Pieve di Cento (Bologna). The 12th edition was in 2016. The trophy is for Under 15s sides and has been arranged with the help of Carwyn's nephew, Llyr James.
After the conclusion of the 2024 Six Nations Championship, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney suggested that the Carwyn James–Roy Bish Cup should be awarded to the winner of the Six Nations game between Wales and Italy.
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