James Whitcombe

James William Whitcombe (born 20 November 2000)[1] is an English rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby, his preferred position is loosehead prop.[2]

James Whitcombe
Birth nameJames William Whitcombe
Date of birth (2000-11-20) 20 November 2000
Place of birthKeighley, England
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight18 st 12 lb (120 kg)
SchoolWoodhouse Grove School
Notable relative(s)Martin Whitcombe (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Leicester Tigers
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Leicester Tigers 42 (5)
2019 → Sydney University 0 (0)
2019–2020 → Leicester Lions 10 (10)
Correct as of 22 October 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019–2020 England U20 3 (0)
Correct as of 21 March 2021

Early life

Whitcombe first played rugby union at 5 years old for Skipton RFC, in north Yorkshire,[3] and also played rugby league for Keighley Albion,[4] before concentrating on union at Bradford & Bingley RFC and Woodhouse Grove School where he was selected for England's under-16, England under-18 on their 2018 summer tour of South Africa and England under-19 sides.[3] He joined Leicester Tigers academy's development pathway at the age of 13.[5] He was part of Leicester Tigers two successive under 18 league titles.[6][7] After finishing school he spent 3 months playing for Sydney University Colts in the Shute Shield.[8][9]

Career

In July 2019 Whitcombe was promoted to Leicester's development squad and became a full time rugby player.[10] He spent the 2019–2020 season on loan with Leicester Lions in National League 2 South,[8] and was named the league's Young player of the season.[11] He signed new contracts with Leicester in May 2020,[12] and March 2021.[13]

Whitcombe made his senior Leicester Tigers debut on 19 December 2020 in a European Rugby Challenge Cup win against Bayonne,[14][15][16] and made his Premiership Rugby debut as a replacement in a loss against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on 27 February 2021.

His first start for Leicester came in the unusual position of blindside flanker, becoming the first Leicester prop to play outside the front row since 1967.[17]

Family life

Whitcombe is the son of Martin Whitcombe, the grandson to Frank Whitcombe Jr and the great grandson to Frank Whitcombe and Thomas Cockcroft, both prominent rugby league players in the 1940s.[18]

References
  1. "James Whitcombe profile". ESPN Scrum. ESPN. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. "James Whitcombe Leicester Tigers profile". Leicester Tigers. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. "RFC Profile". RFU. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. "James Whitcombe focused on Leicester Tigers after England chance". Keighley News. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  5. "Young Guns: Leicester Tigers prop James Whitcombe". The Rugby Paper. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  6. "Seven Leicester Tigers academy players target a second Finals Day success when they meet Gloucester". Leicester Mercury. reach group. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. "Leicester Tigers cubs are learning the tough lessons of Premiership rugby - Tom Youngs". Leicester Mercury. reach group. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  8. "Jackson column: James Whitcombe keeping the great prop dynasty alive". The Rugby Paper. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  9. "Tigers duo join SUFC". 18 June 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. "Keighley's James Whitcombe cutting his teeth with Tigers". Telegraph and Argus. Bradford. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  11. "Whitcombe wins National League award". Leicester Tigers. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  12. "Leicester lock in quintet of young Tigers". 7 May 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  13. "Nemani Nadolo & Dan Cole head list of Leicester Tigers' new deals and signings". BBC Sport. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  14. "James Whitcombe: The fifth member of an 85-year-old rugby dynasty". BBC Sport. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  15. "Leicester debut for young Keighley prop". Keighley News. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  16. "European Challenge Cup: Leicester Tigers beat Bayonne 28-20 in France". BBC Sport. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  17. Ethan Clamp & Bobby Bridge (13 November 2021). "Why Leicester Tigers started prop in back row and new signing latest". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  18. Adam Whitty (12 March 2021). "James Whitcombe: The fifth member of an 85-year-old rugby dynasty". BBC Radio Leicester. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
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