James Christopher Fender is a Welsh professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club the Ospreys.
| Birth name | James Christopher Fender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 3 August 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 121 kg (19 st 1 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Bishopston Comprehensive School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Neath Port Talbot College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional career
editAs a youth player, Fender was part of the Ospreys academy. He played for South Gower and Neath Port Talbot College,[1] as well as Swansea RFC.[2]
For the 2022–2023 season, Fender was loaned to RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates.[3]
Fender represented Wales U20 in the U20 Six Nations tournament in 2020 and 2021.[4]
Fender was recalled to the Ospreys squad ahead of their URC tour to South Africa, and made his debut as a replacement on 26 November 2022, against the Bulls.[5]
Fender was named as Man of the Match on 26 December 2023, as the Ospreys beat the Scarlets 25–11.[6] Following his early season performances, Fender was named as a top breakthrough player for 2023.[7] He was tipped for a place in the Wales squad ahead of the 2024 Six Nations, but suffered a shoulder injury in January 2024, ruling him out long term.[8]
On 19 April 2024, Fender signed a contract extension with the Ospreys.[9]
References
edit- ^ Orders, Mark (13 June 2019). "The six Welsh rugby teens who've today been given their big chance to make it". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Player – SWANSEA RFC". Swansea RFC. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "James Fender: Cornish Pirates bring in Ospreys lock on loan". BBC Sports. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Wales U20 squad announced for Six Nations - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Orders, Mark (25 November 2022). "Bulls v Ospreys team news as old Wales warhorse returns for visitors". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Top Performers: Ospreys v Scarlets". www.ultimaterugby.com. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ James, Ben (19 December 2023). "The breakthrough Welsh rugby players of 2023 ranked". Wales Online. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ Jones, John (16 January 2024). "The other big players missing from the Wales squad amid Rees-Zammit drama". Wales Online. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "James Fender: Ospreys lock signs new contract". BBC Sport. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.