James Peters (rugby player)

James Peters (7 August 1879 – 26 March 1954) was an English rugby union player and, later, a rugby league player. He is notable as the first black man to play rugby union for England. He was also known as "Darkie Peters".

Peters was born at 38 Queen Street in Salford, Greater Manchester, in Lancashire, England. James Peters's Jamaican father, George, had been mauled to death in a training cage by lions. His mother, Hannah Gough originally from Shropshire, was unable to look after him so allowed him to join another circus troupe as a bareback horse rider. He was abandoned by the circus at age 11, having broken his arm, and found himself in Fegan's orphanage in Southwark and then Little Wanderers' Home in Greenwich, where he captained many of their sports teams. Greenwich Admirals Rugby League Club now celebrate Peters' life with an annual challenge game.

Peters trained in printing and carpentry; his trade brought him to Bristol, where he played for Bristol Rugby Club and represented the Somerset County team between 1900 and 1903. Peters then moved on to Plymouth in 1902, representing Plymouth RUFC and the Dorset county side until 1909.

On 17 March 1906, Peters won his début cap for England against Scotland. However, The Yorkshire Post pointed out, "his selection is by no means popular on racial grounds". On his performance The Sportsman commented that the "dusky Plymouth man did many good things, especially in passing." He was to play a further game, against France, in which he scored a try.

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