James is a highly respected coach with vast experience at both club and representative levels. He joins us from Blackheath, where he has played an instrumental role in helping them secure promotion to National One and establishing them as a strong force in the league above our Wolfpack. His ability to develop players and implement an exciting, attacking style of rugby has earned him great admiration throughout the game over many years.

James has also held coaching roles at Old Albanian, Plymouth Albion, and Cambridge, as well as working with England Counties and Cambridge University, the latter of which he will continue to do whilst at The Haberden.

As a player, James was a talented fly-half who represented Exeter Chiefs, Bedford Blues, and Plymouth Albion, amongst others throughout a long and illustrious career.

The club are thrilled to be welcoming a coach of James’ calibre to The Haberden and we look forward to an exciting new chapter for our great club under his leadership.

Over the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing more about James, his role and his ambitions for our club once he takes the helm in pre-season.

In the meantime, please join us in welcoming ‘Shanners’ into the #buryrugbyfamily.

Image Credit: Blackheath Rugby