Sam James

Lifelong Sharks fan Sam James joined the club in 2012 and has gone on to make more than 150 appearances for his boyhood club. 

Usually deployed at centre, but equally happy at fly-half or full-back, Sam is well known for his handling and ball skills, as well as his kicking game and his powerful left foot. 

He made his first team debut in 2013, seven years after he was a ball boy for the Sharks, and has grown into one of the leading stars of the Sharks squad. 

In the 2018/19 season he was the only player across the entire Premiership to play every single minute of the season for his club. 

Rugby has always been a huge part of Sam’s life. His father was an exceptional player and a love of sport seemed inevitable for him and his brother (fellow Sharks star) Luke. 

He was first spotted by Sharks at 13, with his county level selection for Cheshire putting him firmly on their radar.  

“It is surreal that he has gone from being a ball boy to where he is now!” James’s Dad, Neil, told Talking Rugby Union. "We had season tickets and we used to go with friends to Edgeley Park.  

“One great memory when Sam was ball boy was when Richard Wigglesworth was scrum-half for Sale. The ball went off the pitch, Sam passed it back on and Wiggy said something like ‘nice pass!’ It is a bit surreal seeing that he is now one of the players and doing his stuff on the pitch for Sale.”