French football helped toughen up Wales' James

Jordan James almost scored within 30 seconds in Skopje

Wales midfielder Jordan James says the ups and downs of playing football in France has helped toughen him up.

James joined Rennes from Birmingham last summer but struggled for game time under head coach Julian Stephan.

But after Stephan's sacking in November, the 20-year-old became a regular starter for the Ligue 1 club.

"Going to France has really built me up in a character way, personally and on the pitch," said James.

"I feel I can influence games a lot more now. I'm still young, but I don't feel like that young kid anymore."

James was one of Wales' standout performers in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against North Macedonia on Tuesday.

"I want to go on the pitch and grab it by the scruff of the neck, and I felt I was able to do that in the first half," he said.

"Second half they changed formation to stop me and Broady (Nathan Broadhead) getting on the ball, changed to a three in midfield and man-marked us."

Since leaving his boyhood club Birmingham, James admits it has been a rollercoaster of a season.

"I went there [Rennes] with a lot of hope of playing and I never did," he said.

"It was a new environment – something massive for me and my family – and I had to keep my head down and keep working.

"A new coach came in and I played every game. I've got used to the place and now I feel at home.

"When I do come here [to Wales] it's obviously a lot easier when I am playing football in France."

"I've been in the gym a lot in France. They are very athletic and I've looked to bring that into my game, because I need to be able to cope over there.

Wales had been on course for a 0-0 draw in Skopje until an uncharacteristic Joe Allen mistake set up Bojan Miovski to give North Macedonia a 91st-minute lead.

But in a dramatic finale, Wales went up the other end and David Brooks scored in the 96th minute to ensure they left with a point.

"The character of the boys when the goal went in was unbelievable," said James.

"A lot of teams would have been done, but we knew we had time to go up the other end and find the back of the net."

Wales return to World Cup qualifying action at home to Liechtenstein on 6 June and away to group favourites Belgium three days later.