James Hadfield (rugby union)
English rugby union player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Hadfield is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens.[1]
27 November 1997
| Born | James Hadfield 27 November 1997 Brighton and Hove, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (16 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Bath | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career
Originally from Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, Hadfield attended the University of Bath between 2017 and 2021, and represented their rugby union team while studying for a degree in health and exercise science.[2] He helped the team to reach the semi-final stages of BUCS Super Rugby twice during this period.[3] From 2019, Hadfield was also dual-registered with Premiership club Bath, appearing for the Bath United reserve team in the Premiership Rugby Shield.[4]
Following graduation from university, Hadfield signed with RFU Championship club Richmond for the 2021–22 season, before transferring to league rivals Jersey Reds a year later.[5] In the 2022–23 season, he scored 11 tries as Jersey won the Championship title for the first time in their history – including a try in the decisive 43–15 win against Ampthill.[6]
On 29 September 2023, Hadfield was made redundant, along with the rest of the Jersey Reds playing squad and staff, after the club ceased trading and went into administration.[7] However, a week later, he found a new club, signing for reigning Premiership champions Saracens – initially on a short-term deal, which was later extended until the end of the 2023–24 season.[8] Hadfield made his Premiership debut away at Exeter Chiefs in October 2023, while his first Premiership tries arrived in the reverse fixture against Exeter in January 2024, when he scored a brace on the way to a 40–22 victory.[9] Subsequently, he agreed an 18-month contract extension with Saracens.[10]
In the 2024–25 season, Hadfield notably equalled the English top-flight record for most tries scored in a single match, when he crossed the whitewash 6 times for Saracens, during their 99–27 win over London Scottish in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[11] He was also dual-registered with Championship club Ampthill for the duration of the season.