Jim Birch (rugby union)


James Birch was an English-born international rugby union prop who played club rugby for Northampton and Neath was capped twice for Wales. Birch was selected for Wales in a tit for tat reprisal by the Welsh Rugby Union after the Rugby Football Union selected Welshman Stanley Williams for England.

Rugby career

Birch first came to note as a rugby player when he turned out for Northampton at the age of sixteen. He moved to Wales where he joined Neath. He was selected by the Welsh Rugby Union to play for the Wales national team during the 1911 Five Nations Championship, playing in two games, against France and Scotland. This was an excellent campaign for Wales and Birch found himself part of a Triple Crown and Grand Slam winning team.
As well as representing Neath, Birch also played for Glamorgan Police RFC, after joining the Glamorgan Constabulary in April 1910. In 1912 he switched clubs to first-class side Cardiff and spent three seasons with the club from 1912-13 to 1919-1920. He made 175 appearances for Cardiff. On his retirement he returned to Northampton where he served on the Northampton RFC committee.

International matches played

Wales