James Hadfield (rugby union)

James Hadfield is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens.

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. He helped the team to reach the semi-final stages of BUCS Super Rugby twice during this period. From 2019, Hadfield was also dual-registered with Premiership club Bath, appearing for the Bath United reserve team in the Premiership Rugby Shield.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.