He had three younger brothers, Claude, Sam and Willie, the latter two playing at the same level as David and Evan towards the end of their careers James was first capped for Wales on 7 March 1891, against Ireland at Stradey Park.

James turned out for Wales alongside his brother to keep their Swansea partnership together and in the match against Scotland a year later, were one of three pairs of brothers on the pitch; the others being the Orr's and Nielson's for Scotland.

James would also play against Ireland in 1892, but his fourth and final cap took another seven years when he turned out against England in 1899.

In 1896, an appeal from Swansea and Wales was successful and the brothers were reinstated.

On 28 January, three weeks after their final cap, David and Evan actually joined Broughton Rangers, and severed their links with rugby union.