Baxter praises maturing Wales back-row Kane James
Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Wales forward Kane James is maturing fast.
The 21-year-old has started both of Exeter Chiefs' Premiership games so far this season. Baxter says he is improving at a nice rate and having good impact on games, BBC Sport reported on 8 October.
James is a back-rower. That means one of the loose forwards who carry hard, tackle all day and chase the ball in open play.
He broke into the Exeter squad last season. His rise has been quick. He played age-grade rugby for England Under-20s, then switched allegiance earlier this year to Wales, the country he grew up in.
He won his first senior Wales cap in July. A cap is an international appearance. It came in Wales' defeat in Argentina in the Nations Championship, the new global competition for Test sides.
There has been a twist this autumn. James featured mainly as a number eight last season. That is the player who packs down at the very back of the scrum and often carries off the base.
This season he has started both league matches at open-side flanker. That is the breakdown specialist, the player whose first job is to be first to the tackle area, compete for the ball on the ground and slow down the opposition.
It is a demanding switch. It asks for different timing and different decisions. Baxter likes what he sees.
The form is there. James scored two tries in Exeter's opening cup victory in September, including a late score to seal the win. Team-mate Ethan Roots also crossed early in the second half of that game, BBC Sport reported.
Baxter had already laid down a challenge. Last month he urged the new Wales cap to add accuracy to his game in order to kick on, WalesOnline reported.
For Wales watchers, this matters because depth in the back row is gold. Test rugby punishes loose carries and missed clearouts. A young player who can cover more than one back-row spot and still make an impact gives both club and country options.
Exeter need that too. The Chiefs want momentum early in the Premiership season after a tough couple of years. A 21-year-old starting twice and finishing strongly suggests the plan is working.
