Scrum half Grindal joined the Falcons from Leicester Tigers in the summer of 2002.

The former Nuneaton and Coventry player came up right through the England age groups before playing in the Sanzar Under-21 competition for England – the precursor to what is now the IRB Under-21 World Cup.

James attended King Henry VIII School in Nuneaton, before making his Leicester Tigers first team debut in October 1999, aged 19.

Such was his form during the 2007/8 season for the Falcons, that he was awarded England Saxons honours in the victory over Ireland 'A'.

 

School/university: King Henry VIII School Coventry, Loughborough University

Previous clubs: Leicester Tigers

Nicknames: Grinders, Bobby G, The Grindaliser

Favourite TV show: 24, Prison Break, Heroes

Favourite film: Dumb & Dumber, Pulp Fiction, Old School

Favourite music: The Killers, U2, The Feeling, Lionel Ritchie

Favourite book: Emperor: The Gates of Rome

Favourite food: Pepperoni pizza followed by sticky toffee pudding… mmm!

Most like to meet: Will Ferrell and Steve Carell on a night out

Least like to meet: Abu Hamza

Best moment in rugby: Powergen Cup final victory in 2004

Best moment outside of rugby: My wedding in Scotland (summer 2007)

Favourite place to visit: Las Vegas, Thailand, Hawaii

I love: Hot weather, golf, my couch and Sky remote control

I hate: Tequila, training in the rain, drivers who stay in the outside lane on motorways