Like so many San Diego youngsters, Ryan James started out playing football.
But a funny thing happened on the way to gridiron stardom: James was introduced to the sport of rugby. The 24-year-old will wear the red and black of the San Diego Legion on Sunday when they host the NOLA Gold at Snapdragon Stadium.
A wing/fullback listed at 6 feet and 190 pounds — roughly the size of many football defensive backs — James is in his first season with the hometown Legion (4-1) after previous stints in Colorado and Los Angeles.
“It’s been good,” said James, who graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School. “Not too far from where my family stays. They can make it out to every home game. Can’t beat the weather. It’s nice to be back in San Diego.”
James took up rugby at age 12. The path to a professional rugby career began at the grassroots level with the Aztec Warriors club team in Mira Mesa.
A three-time high school All American, James quickly gained the attention of the U.S. National Team program. He represented Team USA at the U18, U19 and U20 levels.
James’ international career peaked in 2021, when he was selected to play for the USA Eagles. He suited up against New Zealand in the end-of-the-year rugby union internationals.
That honor was extra special for James as his mother, Sonja, is from New Zealand, a nation where rugby is massively popular.
“Oh, she was 100 percent for it once the idea came up,” James said. “The international experience was when I really made the decision that this was the sport for me. Traveling and seeing the game at that level just fueled my interest and it has taken off from there.”
For the Legion, bringing James home made sense on multiple levels according to head coach and director of rugby Danny Lee.
For one thing, the club experienced massive turnover, including the departure of star Nate Augspurger, after falling to the New England Free Jacks in the Major League Rugby championship match last July.
For another, James’ combination of speed, toughness and experience made him a good fit for a club that blends attack and defense.
“We lost a couple of wingers and we were looking around for who was going to replace them,” said Lee, whose playing career included a stint with the famed New Zealand All Blacks.“We knew a lot about Ryan. He’s an excitement machine. We thought he’d fit in well. He’s the quickest guy on our team and he also brings some bite so he’s been a nice addition.”
James has played in three of the club’s matches thus far. He was particularly impactful in last week’s 22-21 road win over the Miami Sharks, playing 81 minutes and logging 12 carries.
The Legion, who haven’t lost a home match in two seasons at Snapdragon, have won four straight after an opening loss to rival Seattle and appear to be finding a groove while blending in a host of new additions with key returnees from last season’s 15-0-1 regular season finishing squad.
“They had a really successful run last year and it’s been changed up a bit,” James said. “Half the roster is new. The focus has been on making a new team and we’re trying to raise the bar, go one step further and bring that shield back to San Diego.”
Like other professional rugby players, James also spends time growing the game here in the United States.
The Legion hold camps and clinics year-round with the goal of introducing the sport to kids who may not otherwise know anything about the game.
“The earlier the better,” Lee said. “The key is fueling that interest and teaching the fundamentals at an early age. Ryan picked it up at the right time where he was able to transfer some of the things he had learned in football to rugby.”
On Sunday for example, the club will host a “Play with the Pros” pre-match flag football and rugby clinic for kids.
“It’s more than a responsibility, it’s a privilege,” James said. “Something I was taught in high school was to be an ambassador for the sport, to help inspire and grow the game. I see that as our role, whether it’s working a clinic teaching kids or meeting fans after a game: we can all play a part in helping rugby grow here.”
