"We’ve been a bit challenged in the back five of the scrum, so what we’ve been doing is selecting the best three to start the game and then putting them in the best combo onto the scrum as they are," Baxter explained.
This pragmatic approach reflects a broader philosophy at Sandy Park regarding the modern evolution of the game. Baxter is a firm believer that the number on a player’s back should not be a restrictive label that defines their entire contribution to the team’s performance. In his view, the modern game requires "hybrid" players who can perform a variety of roles regardless of their starting position.
"Where they really play around the field is a little bit irrelevant to the number on their back really, they’re scrummaging that way because that suits the strengths of each of them individually," he said. "We won’t have any problem picking Kane at number eight, as he’s been playing in other games, when a rotation happens or injuries or that’s the best formulation for that game."
For James, this means that while he may be wearing the number seven jersey and packing down on the side of the scrum, his role in open play remains remarkably similar to that of a traditional number eight. He continues to be a primary ball-carrier and occupies key tactical positions during line-outs.
"I’ve never been a big one for this ‘numbers on backs dictates what player you are’—Kane plays like a number eight outside of the scrum for us in that he gets on the ball and he plays the kind of plus-one roles at line-out, so he very much plays what they call that kind of hybrid role for us," Baxter concluded.
As the season progresses, the spotlight on Kane James is likely to intensify. With the Autumn Internationals on the horizon and the Premiership season gathering pace, the young back-rower finds himself in an enviable position. Backed by a coach who trusts his development and armed with a burgeoning physical presence and a versatile skill set, James is rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about young talents in the league. For Exeter Chiefs, his emergence is a testament to their enduring ability to cultivate international-standard talent; for Wales, he represents a dynamic new option in a back-row stable that is constantly evolving. For the player himself, the focus remains on the "diligent" work that has brought him this far, ensuring that his current trajectory continues toward a very bright future in the game.
