Wales wing Tom James has given Cardiff Blues a major boost by signing a new deal at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
The prolific try-scorer has penned a new long-term contract at the region following his flying start to the season. James returned to Wales following two seasons with the Exeter Chiefs and his blistering form for his home region earnt him a recall to the national side after a six year absence.
The Merthyr born flyer returned to Warren Gatland's starting XV in last season's Six Nations draw with Ireland and started in the victory over Scotland a week later. James toured New Zealand in the summer, before returning home to explode into the new season.
He has already crossed for three tries this season and was named man-of-the-match in Friday's impressive defeat of Glasgow Warriors at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. James has scored a record 51 tries for the capital region, but he is desperate to add to that tally.
James said: "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 European Cup semi-finals and winning the Challenge Cup, and I can't wait to play my part."
Next up for James and the Blues is a trip to Italy to face Zebre on Saturday as they look to maintain their 100 percent start to the season. And Blues head coach Danny Wilson is looking forward to watching his wing wizard terrorise defences for years to come.
He 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."
