Wednesday 21 September 2016 13:07, UK
Cardiff Blues wing Tom James has signed a new long-term deal with the Guinness PRO12 club.
The 29-year-old Wales international, who returned to the Arms Park ahead of the 2015-16 campaign following two years with Exeter Chiefs, has been rewarded after making a flying start to the new season.
He is the region's top try-scorer, having taken his tally to 51 in total, and earned the man-of-the-match award for his performance against Glasgow Warriors.
James has made 136 appearances for the Blues and has been rewarded with his new contract by head coach Danny Wilson.
He told his club's official website: "As soon as I came back from the Wales tour of New Zealand and my agent began talking with Cardiff Blues, I couldn't get the deal signed quick enough.
"I left because I wanted to test myself in a new environment and improve as a player. I was very happy to come back ahead of last season and I feel I came back a better player.
"I've been really pleased with the way things have gone and I bit Danny's hand off when he offered me this new deal.
"We are heading in the right direction and really building something here, this is the strongest squad we have had since we were reaching Heineken Cup semi-finals and winning the Amlin Challenge Cup, and I can't wait to play my part."
Wilson said: "Tom is a superb player and has shown exactly what he is capable of in the opening weeks of this season.
"He is fast, powerful, defends well and does the basics well. He is a key player for us and will be an important part of what we are trying to build here.
"I'm delighted we have been able to secure one of the in-form Welsh players to a new, long-term contract and hope there are many more performances like we have seen so far this season to come."
