| James Fender | |
| Birth Name: | James Christopher Fender |
| Birth Date: | 2001 8, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Swansea, Wales |
| Height: | 200cm (100inches) |
| Weight: | 121kg (267lb) |
| Ru Position: | Lock |
| School: | Bishopston Comprehensive School |
| Ru Currentposition: | Lock |
| Ru Currentteam: | Ospreys |
| Youthclubs1: | South Gower RFC |
| Years1: | 2020– |
| Apps1: | 15 |
| Points1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2022–23 |
| Clubs2: | →Cornish Pirates (loan) |
| Apps2: | 13 |
| Points2: | 5 |
| Repyears1: | 2020–2021 |
| Repcaps1: | 9 |
| Reppoints1: | 0 |
James Christopher Fender is a Welsh professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club the Ospreys.
As a youth player, Fender was part of the Ospreys academy. He played for South Gower and Neath Port Talbot College,[1] as well as Swansea RFC.[2]
For the 2022–2023 season, Fender was loaned to RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates.[3]
Fender represented Wales U20 in the U20 Six Nations tournament in 2020 and 2021.[4]
Fender was recalled to the Ospreys squad ahead of their URC tour to South Africa, and made his debut as a replacement on 26 November 2022, against the Bulls.[5]
Fender was named as Man of the Match on 26 December 2023, as the Ospreys beat the Scarlets 25–11.[6] Following his early season performances, Fender was named as a top breakthrough player for 2023.[7] He was tipped for a place in the Wales squad ahead of the 2024 Six Nations, but suffered a shoulder injury in January 2024, ruling him out long term.[8]
On 19 April 2024, Fender signed a contract extension with the Ospreys.[9]