After impressing last season with the Blues, James built quite a reputation for himself as part of a back division that almost went all the way in Europe.
But any hopes of picking up where he left off last term will have to wait as troublesome shoulder and groin problems he carried last season will keep him out of the beginning of the upcoming campaign.
James though, knows that injury is part of a professional sportsman’s life and he accepts he will have to sit out the season start in September. “Hopefully I’ll be back playing by the end of October,” he told Walesonline.
“Having played with injuries for so long, it makes me wonder what I’m going to do when I do get fully fit.
“Hopefully I’ll have a chance to play for Wales and show everyone what I can really do.”
There were hints of the magic he is capable of producing in the summer tour of North America. James touched down against the Canadians and the US Eagles to help steer Robin McBryde’s side to a win double.
And James says that producing points at international level is “fantastic”.
He explained: “To put that jersey on, make my first start and score my first international try was fantastic. When you are on the bench and sing the national anthem you have the buzz and then it goes when you go back to the bench.
“But to have the anthem, then playing was the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
James was forced to leave the field late on against the Eagles with pain in his shoulder It was only on his return home that the full extent of the problem was diagnosed – a scan revealed a chipped bone.
“I actually did it four months ago,” he said. “We worked out when I had the bang and I did it against Glasgow. But I didn’t realise I’d done it at the time and I carried on playing.They couldn’t believe how I played with it.
“When I saw the specialist, he said a normal patient would be in plaster for six months, but because I’m a rugby player they can’t do it. All I can do is rest.”
And, being unable to play, now is the perfect time to undergo surgery on his groin. “I knew I would have to have an operation eventually,” he said.
“It’s good now because I can have both injuries sorted at once and still be back before November.”
Wales take on the might of the southern Hemisphere in this year’s Invesco Perpetual Series.
