James Donaldson (rugby league)

James Donaldson (born 14 September 1991) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward and second-row for the Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Super League.

James Donaldson
Personal information
Full nameJames Donaldson
Born (1991-09-14) 14 September 1991
Whitehaven, Cumbria, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight13 st 12 lb (88 kg)[1]
Playing information
PositionLoose forward, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009–14 Bradford Bulls 78 4 0 0 16
2013(DR) → Dewsbury Rams 4 1 0 0 4
2015–18 Hull Kingston Rovers 78 15 0 0 60
2018(DR) → York City Knights 1 1 0 0 4
2019– Leeds Rhinos 41 4 0 0 16
Total 202 25 0 0 100
As of 3 January 2021
Source: [2][3]

Donaldson, a Challenge Cup winner, previously played for the Bradford Bulls in the Super League, and on loan from Bradford at the Dewsbury Rams in the Kingstone Press Championship. He played for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League and the Championship, and on loan from Hull KR at the York City Knights in Betfred League 1.

Background

Donaldson was born in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England.

Donaldson subsequently attended Whitehaven School.

Playing career

He primarily plays as a loose forward, but he can also play in the second-row.

Early career

He played a key role in the 2007 Rugby League European under-16's Championships, where Whitehaven School represented England.

Donaldson was much sought after as a junior and signed for the Bradford Bulls, despite offers from many other top clubs.

A loose forward, Donaldson hails from Cumbria and he has played for the famous Wath Brow Hornets amateur side.

Bradford Bulls

Donaldson played for the Bradford Bulls between 2009 and 2014.

James Donaldson playing for the Bradford Bulls
Statistics
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2009: Bradford Bulls72008
2010: Bradford Bulls140000
2011: Bradford Bulls120000
2012: Bradford Bulls20000
2013: Bradford Bulls192008
2014: Bradford Bulls250000
Total7840016

Dewsbury Rams

Donaldson appeared for the Dewsbury Rams in the 2013 rugby league season, as part of the Bradford Bulls' dual-registration partnership with the club.

Statistics
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2013: Dewsbury Rams41004
Total41004

Hull Kingston Rovers

Donaldson joined Hull Kingston Rovers ahead of the 2015 Super League season.

He represented the club in the 2015 Challenge Cup Final.

Donaldson playing for Hull KR

Donaldson suffered relegation from the Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2016 season, due to losing the Million Pound Game by the Salford Red Devils.

In the Good Friday Championship league clash against the Featherstone Rovers on 14 April 2017, Donaldson unfortunately suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in Hull Kingston Rovers' 30-22 victory at Craven Park.

Donaldson (currently injured at the time), was part of the Hull Kingston Rovers' side that won promotion back to the Super League, at the first time of asking following relegation the season prior, securing automatic promotion through the 2017 Qualifiers process.[4][5]

Donaldson made his long-awaited return from his ACL kneeinjury on 15 March 2018, in a Super League fixture against the Huddersfield Giants, Hull Kingston Rovers ran-out 6-38 victors, with James featuring from off the interchange bench.

It was revealed on 10 October 2018, that Donaldson would be departing Hull Kingston Rovers following a restructure of the club's on field personnel.[6]

Statistics
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2015: Hull Kingston Rovers260000
2016: Hull Kingston Rovers2040016
2017: Hull Kingston Rovers1190036
2018: Hull Kingston Rovers212008
Total78150060

York City Knights

Donaldson appeared on only one occasion for the York City Knights on 11 March 2018, four-days later he made his long-awaited return to the Hull Kingston Rovers' fold, following his long-term ACL knee injury that he sustained the season prior.

Donaldson scored for the York City Knights on a single dual-registration appearance, in a 22-24 victory over Oldham.

Statistics
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2018: York City Knights11004
Total11004

Leeds Rhinos

It was revealed on 6 December 2018, that Donaldson had been handed a trial at the Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2019 campaign.

Donaldson was subsequently given a chance to "prove his worth" to new Leeds Rhinos Head Coach David Furner, in all hopes of earning a contract at the club on a permanent basis.

On 8 January 2019, after a successful trial, Donaldson signed a one-year contract with the Leeds Rhinos.

Donaldson made his Leeds Rhinos' début on 2 February 2019, in a 26-6 round 1 Super League defeat against the Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Donaldson scored his first try for the Leeds Rhinos on 19 April 2019, in a 38-18 victory over the Huddersfield Giants.

It was announced on 12 September. Donaldson would be staying at Leeds until 2021. [7]

On 17 October 2020, he played in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final victory for Leeds over Salford at Wembley Stadium.[8]

Statistics
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2019: Leeds Rhinos141000
Total141004

References
  1. "James Donaldson Hull Kingston Rovers". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  2. loverugbyleague
  3. RLP
  4. "James Donaldson 'shuns NRL offers' to remain at Hull KR". zerotackle.com. Zero Digital Media. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  5. "Donaldson added to 2017 squad". hullkr.co.uk. Hull Kingston Rovers. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  6. "Mass exodus at Hull Kingston Rovers". 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  7. https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2019/09/12/donaldson-agrees-new-two-year-deal-with-rhinos/
  8. "Leeds beat Salford 17-16 after Luke Gale lands late winning drop-goal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
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