James Forrester (rugby player)

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James Forrester (born February 9, 1981 in Oxford) is an English rugby union player who plays at number eight for Gloucester and England.

James is a tall, agile, talented number eight with excellent ball handling skills and an eye for the try line, as his impressive try tally for Gloucester demonstrates. Born in Oxford, he learnt his rugby at school and as a mini/junior with Bicester RFC. During his time at St Edward's School, Oxford, he also developed his game and although disappointed at missing out on an England U18 Group Schools cap in 1999, he had more than made up for it by the end of that year when he signed for Gloucester.

Having played for England U21 he made his England A debut against Wales in Bristol during 2002 and in June of that year also played for an England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham, scoring a memorable 65 metre try and outstripping Jonah Lomu in the process.

He was also capped by the England Sevens squad in 2002, playing in the opening World Series tournament in Durban and two others and was man of the match with two tries, when England A thrashed Scotland 78- 6 in March 2003.

Unfortunately, injury has affected his career and he required an elbow operation in 2002-03 and then dislocated his shoulder in 2003-04 in the England A match against France A. In the summer of 2004 he signed a three year contract to stay at Kingsholm. In 2005 he sneaked his first England cap, against Wales in the RBS 6 Nations, coming on as a blood replacement for Joe Worsley. James has shown his versatility, in that he has played in all three back-row positions plus centre, including in Gloucester’s defeat in May’s Zurich Premiership wildcard final against Saracens.