Carwyn Rees James (2 November 1929 – 10 January 1983)[1] was a Welsh rugby union player and coach.

He won two Welsh international caps but is most famous for his coaching achievements with Llanelli, the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians, with all of whom he beat the All Blacks.

In 1970, he refused to leave the changing rooms whilst Llanelli lost to South Africa as a protest to the apartheid in the country of the visiting team to Wales.

James also coached the Barbarians to victory over the All Blacks in 1973, including being credited with man management to stimulate Phil Bennett to make his famous sidestepping run that day.

[7] James' coaching style was said to involve quiet words with players and half-suggestions rather than orders.

He was an opponent of apartheid and during the controversial 1969/70 Springbok tour he prepared the Llanelli team but stayed in the dressing room as a protest.

[6][9] In January 1983, 53-year-old James made a visit to the Netherlands as a break after making a television series, and stayed alone at the Hotel Krasnapolsky in Dam Square, Amsterdam.

[13] The Western Mail reported that his body was discovered in the bath of his hotel suite, having lain there for some days.

Due to his coaching in Italy, an international tournament, called "Carwyn James Easter Trophy", is held in Pieve di Cento (Bologna).