James Sullivan

James Sullivan

James Sullivan was born in Cardiff on 2 December 1903. A precocious talent, he made his senior debut for the Cardiff club at the age of 16 years and 10 months. On 28 December 1920 he played at full-back for the Barbarians -24 hours after he had turned out for his home club against the Baa-Baas. At 17 years and 25 days of age he was the youngest player to become a Barbarian. Two months later he was put on stand-by for the Wales XV to play France but never won a rugby union cap. In the following summer he signed professional forms with Wigan and in a 24-year career became a legend in rugby league. He scored over 6,000 points and his 928 games included 25 tests for Great Britain and 35 internationals for Wales and the combined 'Other Nationalities' XIII. Jim Sullivan died on 14 September 1977.