| James Hadfield | |
| Birth Name: | James Hadfield |
| Birth Date: | 27 November 1997 |
| Birth Place: | Brighton and Hove, England |
| University: | University of Bath |
| Height: | 1.8m (05.9feet) |
| Weight: | 104kg (229lb) |
| Position: | Hooker |
| Currentclub: | Saracens |
| Years1: | 2019–21 |
| Clubs1: | Bath |
| Apps1: | — |
| Years2: | 2021–22 |
| Clubs2: | Richmond |
| Apps2: | — |
| Years3: | 2022–23 |
| Clubs3: | Jersey Reds |
| Apps3: | — |
| Years4: | 2023– |
| Clubs4: | Saracens |
| Apps4: | — |
| Clubupdate: | 27 January 2024 |
James Hadfield is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens.[1]
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]