James Buckland

Not to be confused with Robert James Buckland.

James Buckland
Birth nameJames Buckland
Date of birth (1981-09-21) 21 September 1981 (age 43)
Place of birthAylesbury, England
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb)[1]
Occupation(s)Greg Smith's personal Banter Test Dummy
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Youth career
2000–2003 Northampton Academy
2004–2005 Tawa
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–2002 Northampton 0 (0)
2002–2007 Leicester Tigers 69 (15)
2007–2008 London Wasps 9 (5)
2008–2011 London Irish 3 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002 England U21
2006 England Saxons

James Buckland (born 21 September 1981 in Aylesbury, England) is a former rugby union player and current coach who played at hooker for Leicester Tigers, London Wasps, London Irish in the Aviva Premiership. Ever since James Buckland was born he has struggled to hit a line out. All through James’s career his jumpers got him to where he is today and this continues as he plays for his former club Aylesbury again.

Born and raised in Aylesbury, Buckland started playing at Aylesbury RFC.[2] Whilst playing for his home town club, he was spotted and offered a contract with the Northampton Saints.[2] He did not make an appearance for their senior team and later signed with the Leicester Tigers during the summer of 2002.[2]

That same summer, Buckland represented England at the 2002 IRB U21 World Championships.[3]

During his spell with the Tigers, Buckland featured in the 2007 Heineken Cup Final.[4] He also played as a replacement when Leicester won that year's Premiership final.[5] He also represented the England Saxons at the 2006 Churchill Cup.[6]

Buckland joined London Wasps for the 2007–08 season.[7] Buckland signed for London Irish in the summer of 2008.[8] James Buckland retired from the game due to injury and became the forwards coach at Championship rugby club London Scottish from 2011/12 season.

In the summer of 2015 he became head coach at National One side Rosslyn Park on a 3-year contract.

References

  1. ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - London Irish Rugby". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Inside Story: James Buckland". Leicester Tigers Official site. 15 November 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2009.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Soden off as England U-21s win". BBC. 21 June 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Heineken Cup final: Leicester 9–25 Wasps". BBC. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Premiership final". BBC. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. ^ "England Saxons 27–30 Ireland A". BBC. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  7. ^ "Wasps sign Buckland from Tigers". BBC. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Buckland signed for London Irish". BBC. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2009.