Shaun's ready for the house of pain (From Western Telegraph)

Shaun's ready for the house of pain

Pontypridd Rugby Football Club is known as the House of Pain and Begelly born Shaun James has bravely entered this House of pain by signing for the Welsh Premiership team.

Initially inclined to football, he picked up the oval ball aged 16 when his school team was short of players and has made a big impact on the game ever since.

Shaun started playing rugby at Greenhill Comprehensive school, Tenby and has played for Tenby United, Llanelli and most recently Carmarthen Quins.

At the end of the season, I was approached with offers from Newport, Ebbw Vale and Pontypriddd but settled on joining the Sardis Road club as it allows me to carry on with my sports science degree at Pontypridd.

Despite being employed as a full time rugby player I hope to continue with my degree and aim to fit work around my intensive rugby training explained Shaun.

Having missed out on an U18 Welsh cap due to injury, he won his Welsh U21 caps last season.

Making his debut against England which he described as a memorable experience he went on to win three more U21 caps including scoring a try against Italy.

This season sees Shaun playing against top Welsh clubs, Swansea, Cardiff and Llanelli where he will face his U21 team mates Gavin Henson (Swansea) and Dwayne Peel (Llanelli) both of whom made the Welsh summer tour to Japan.

The introduction of a new Celtic League sees Pontypridd play Leinster which means Shaun could face the Lions sensational centre Brian ODriscoll.

This will give me an opportunity to face one of the best centres in the world and measure myself against him.

I am also looking forward to playing against my house mate, Jamie Robinson the Cardiff centre. It should be very interesting.

However, before this Shaun has to stake a claim for a first team place which is his ambition for the coming season and with his dedication to training and professional attitude he should achieve his aim.

Shaun would like to thank Tenby youth coaches Gary Price and Gareth Brace and Matthew Davies his ex-school teacher for their coaching and support.

Picture caption: Going through the pain barrier to achieve his aims, Shaun James.