James joined Glasgow on an apprentice contract at the start of season 2005/06 from GHA and, after impressive performances for his new club Ayr, stepped up to join the Glasgow pack in the Celtic League, resulting in him getting a full-time professional contract.
In 2006 James was honoured with the William Purves Quaich as Outstanding Scottish Young Player of the Year following his performances for both Glasgow Warriors and Scotland U21. He featured in the U21 squad competing in the U21 World Cup in France.
He has represented Scotland at under-18, under-19, under-21, A team, and Sevens. His under-19 honours included playing all nine of Scotland's 2004 internationals, five of them in the IRB World Junior Championship in South Africa, when he scored a try in the 35-5 win against Italy.
James was a member of the Glasgow Rugby Academy and the West of Scotland Institute of Sport. He was unavailable for the 2005 under-21 Six Nations matches because of injury, but he appeared in all five of Scotland’s games in the age group's world championship in Mendoza, Argentina, as well as continuing in the team for the internationals against France, Wales, England, and Ireland last year.
James was sponsored by glasgowwarriors.com for season 2008/09