IT is sad to report the passing of former Saints and Welsh international forward Mel James at the age of 74.

A real unsung hero from the era of contested scrums and 80-minute props, Big Mel (Heritage Number 890) made 321 appearances for the Saints after signing from Swansea in October 1972 after starting off at Resolven RUFC.

Popular with fans, teammates and opponents, James was inducted into the St Helens Hall of Fame last July.

His first rugby union club Resolven expressed their sadness when they sent their condolences today on social media.  

Resolven have a display of Mel James' playing shirts in the club house in his home town.

St Helens Star:

 

He made his debut against Bradford Northern....and as a quirk would play his final game in the red vee against the same opponents in the same month 11 years later.

In between there was success and no little adversity for the big man, whose jobs up north included working underground at Cronton Colliery.

The powerful packman was settling in nicely to the 13-man code when he suffered an horrendous broken leg when playing against the touring Kangaroos in the autumn of 1973 - and injury that would keep him out until February 1975.

Saints won the league that year, and James was a regular in the 15 the following season when they collected three cups - the BBC2 Floodlit, Challenge Cup and Premiership.

James came off the bench to replace John Mantle in the baking heat at Wembley as Saints powered past Widnes in the closing quarter of the Challenge Cup Final.

The departures of Kel Coslett and John Mantle saw Big Mel take the lead in the front row, and he became the cornerstone of that pack when a good number eight, pulling and pushing, was essential to winning a good supply of ball.

This was a tough era for league props - and James was up against the toughest and often notorious of front rowers , and yet he held his own in a disciplined and forceful manner.

He added another Premiership medal to his collection in 1977 - his last winner's medal as player although he did play on the losing side at Wembley against Leeds the following year.

He was awarded a deserved testimonial in 1982 after 10 years at the club - the last few of those saw him provide an old head to a young team in transition. 

 

James played 11 times for Wales in the league code and made Eric Ashton's Great Britain squad for the tour to Australia and New Zealand on the 1979 tour.

Condolences to his family and friends during this sad time.