James Stokes (rugby union)

James Alexander Stokes (born 19 November 1991) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Major League Rugby club Rugby Football Club Los Angeles.^[1][2]

James Stokes

Birth name	James Alexander Stokes
Date of birth	(1991-11-19) 19 November 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Mansfield, England
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
School	Nottingham High School
University	Nottingham Trent University University of Law
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback Current team Rugby Football Club Los Angeles Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) – Nottingham High School () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) – Nottingham () 2013-2019 Cambridge () 2019-2023 London Irish () 2023- Rugby Football Club Los Angeles ()

Early life

Stokes was born in Mansfield, East Midlands. He began playing rugby at the age of 14, representing Nottingham High School,^[3] where he played alongside future professional rugby players Alex Lewington and Max Trimble.^[4]

Club career

Stokes began his career at Nottingham Rugby Club. He made appearances in the British and Irish Cup. He scored a match-winning drop goal from 40 meters out against Pontypridd RFC.^[5]

In 2013, Stokes joined Cambridge Rugby Club, and played a role in their promotion to National League One in 2016. He then moved to Coventry RFC. At Coventry, he helped the team secure promotion to the RFU Championship in the 2017–18 season. He finished as the league's top try-scorer with 21 tries, a club record. ^[6] He also tied the club record for most tries in a single game, scoring four against Yorkshire Carnegie in the 2019–20 season.^[7] He made over 80 appearances for Coventry, scoring 35 tries.^[8]

In December 2019, Stokes signed with London Irish on a short-term contract.^[9] He debuted against Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership.^[10] He played fullback, wing, and centre.^[11]

In June 2021, Stokes signed a new contract with London Irish.^[12] Stokes made 61 appearances for London Irish, scoring 12 tries in the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup, and ECPR Challenge Cup. His try against Sale Sharks in May 2023 won the club's 'Try Of The Year' award.

After London Irish's financial difficulties in June 2023, Stokes joined Major League Rugby team Rugby Football Club Los Angeles. He made 11 appearances in the 2024 season, scoring a try against San Diego Legion.^[13]

References

1. "James Stokes". Rugby FCLA. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
2. djcoilrugby (2023-12-26). "RFC LA Signs James Stokes". djcoilrugby. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
3. Wilkinson, John (2016-10-27). "James Stokes enjoying life in the West Midlands". Coventry Live. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
4. Team, The Rugby Paper (2024-07-28). "I wanted to finish at the highest level possible". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
5. "Rugby World's Championship Blog". Rugby World. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
6. Wilkinson, John (2018-05-01). "Cov create EIGHT records in title-winning season". Coventry Live. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
7. Smith, Paul (2019-10-28). "REPORT: Yorkshire Carnegie 26-66 Coventry Rugby". Coventry Live. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
8. "Stokes leaves for London Irish". Coventry Rugby. 2019-12-20. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
9. "James Stokes: London Irish sign full-back from Coventry". BBC Sport. 2019-12-20. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
10. Heal, Chris (2020-01-10). "James Stokes: From the National Leagues to the Premiership". National League Rugby. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
11. "James Stokes". London Irish. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
12. "James Stokes: London Irish full-back signs new contract at Premiership club". BBC Sport. 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
13. News, Americas Rugby (2024-03-17). "San Diego edges LA in all-California clash". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-10-26. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)