Prop James set to re-join Ospreys

The 32-year old prop has signed a two-year deal with the Ospreys and will return to the Liberty Stadium in 2015 after three seasons in the Aviva Premiership with Bath Rugby.
 
In his first nine-year stint with the region James was a cornerstone of the pack, making 180 appearances and scoring seven tries.
 
A specialist loose head also capable of playing tight head, James made his Ospreys debut in the region’s first-ever competitive fixture, at the Gnoll against Ulster in September in 2003.
 
He became only the third ever Ospreys centurion exactly five years after his debut in September 2008, against the same opposition, and was the first to reach 150 caps for the region. At the time of his departure at the end of the 2011/12 season he was top of the all-time appearance list and still holds fifth place.
 
During his time as an Osprey he won four Celtic League titles, with his last appearance coming in the 2012 Grand Final win over Leinster. He featured in both the EDF Energy Cup Finals against Leicester at Twickenham, and has captained the Ospreys on 16 occasions, most notably in the historic 24-16 win over Australia at the Liberty Stadium in 2006.
 
At Bath he has played 59 games to date, scoring one try. Speaking about his return to the Ospreys, James said: “It’s great to be coming home next year. I think I’m coming back as a better player thanks to the different experiences I’ve had over the last couple of years and hopefully I’ll be able to play a big part at the region going forward.
 
“A lot has changed at the Ospreys since I was last part of the set-up, but the team has started the season well and has impressed me. It’s obvious that there is a bigger picture that everybody is working towards and that’s important.
 
“I played with people like Steve Tandy, Andy Lloyd and Andrew Millward so I know what they want to achieve for the region and that they expect the highest standards on and off the pitch.
 
“There are some really exciting front row players coming through the system who I’m looking forward to working with, and while I can give them my experience, playing and training alongside them will also help me as well.
 
“I’ve had a great few years at Bath, I’ve really settled in well and the club has been great to me so I want to finish on a high there this season, before I head home for the next chapter.”