James Graham (born 10 September 1985 in Maghull, on the outskirts of Liverpool, Merseyside) is an English rugby league player. He plays as a prop forward for St Helens RLFC.

[edit] Background

James signed with Saints as a junior in 2000, eventually playing his way through the Junior Academies before making his senior debut against Castleford Tigers in August 2003. He has already had leadership experience after captaining the England Academy in a famous series victory in Australia in 2004.

[edit] St Helens

The 22 year old prop made a name for himself in Super League XII, making 27 first team appearances and being named Saints’ Young Player of the Year, for his mature, powerful performances which has also seen him named as a contender for Super League Young Player of the Year, with competition from Wigan Warriors rival Chris Ashton. He has just signed a new contract at St Helens to tie his future at the Knowsley Road based club until 2011.

[edit] Great Britain

Then-Great Britain coach Brian Noble selected Graham in a friendly against New Zealand earlier in 2006 in the Castlemaine XXXX Test in which he made a try scoring debut at Knowsley Road.

[edit] Accolades

He has been named in the Super League Dream Team for the 2008 season.^[1]

James won the 2008 Man of Steel award, making him the fourth successive St Helens player to win the prestigious award having beaten rival Jamie Peacock and fellow team mate Leon Pryce. He follows team mates James Roby, Paul Wellens, Paul Sculthorpe (twice) and Sean Long in being named Man of Steel.

He has been named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• St Helens profile
• International Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org