As his testimonial game draws closer, we take a look at some of James Donaldson's major career numbers and stats as he prepares to face his former club Hull KR at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, kick off 2.30pm.

5 clubs played for

Bradford Bulls (2009-2014, 2023 - Dual Registration)

Dewsbury Rams (2013 - Dual Registration)

Hull KR (2015-2018)

York RLFC Knights (2018 - Dual Registration)

Leeds Rhinos (2019-2023)

Coming through the community game at Wath Brow, Donaldson earned his first opportunity of a career in Rugby League with Bradford Bulls at 18 years old when he made his Super League debut in 2009. He represented the Bulls for five seasons, alongside also playing for Dewsbury and York on dual registration in the Championship.

2015 saw Donaldson move to Hull KR, where he helped Chris Chester's side reach the Challenge Cup Final during a memorable first campaign. Two years later, he was part of the side that suffered relegation to the Championship in the Million Pound Game against Salford, but he stuck with the team to get them straight back up in 2018. 

Having been released from the Robins at the end of the campaign, he impressed during a trial with Leeds and earned himself a deal until the end of 2019. He has stuck around much longer though as part of the Rhinos 2020 Challenge Cup Final winning squad and enters his sixth season in blue and amber in 2024.

270 appearances

Looking back at his time in Super League and the Championship, Donaldson has made most of his appearances with the Rhinos, particularly being utilised off the bench 82 times in 106 games. 2023 saw the forward play 16 of 18 games as a substitute.

Before that, his 79 appearances for Hull KR was restricted by an ACL injury during the club's sole season in the Championship. He recovered though to play 21 times in 2018.

At the Bulls, he made 35 appearances in his first four seasons before breaking into the starting team in 2013 and 2014. He also started in a 26-22 win over Halifax Panthers during the 2023 season whilst on dual registration from Leeds.

He also has two appearances with dual registration sides Dewsbury in 2013 and York in 2018.

3 major finals

Throughout his career, Donaldson has ran out three times on the Super League and the Challenge Cup's biggest stage.

Wembley was his first destination in 2015 with Hull KR as Chris Chester's side overcame the odds to book their place in the final, but Leeds proved too strong under the arch. Five years later, Donaldson was back in the capital with the Rhinos and got his hands on his first piece of major silverware as Luke Gale kicked Leeds to victory over Salford.

Old Trafford and the Grand Final had been just out of reach of the forward, but 2022's revival under Rohan Smith saw Donaldson get his chance to run out in the competition's finale coming off the bench against St Helens.

15 years played

Entering year number 15 in the league, Donaldson is the most experienced name in the Leeds squad and one of the longest-serving players in the league going into 2024. 

Since debuting in 2009, he has made at least one appearance in every season until the end of 2023 (both Super League and Championship) and particularly during his six years at Leeds, he has been one of the most present players on the pitch.

Donaldson also becomes the sixth Rhinos player in the last ten seasons to receive a testimonial after Tom Briscoe (2022), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (2020), Kallum Watkins (2019) and Carl Ablett (2015), as well as Ryan Hall (2017), who joins Donaldson in playing for both Leeds and Hull KR during his careers.

29 tries

Donaldson didn't have to wait long to open his try-scoring account in Super League as he crossed the line in only his second appearance for Bradford against Castleford in 2009. He went on to score four times during his time at Odsal, plus he added a try on dual registration at Dewsbury.

At Hull KR, his try tally increased to 18 in Super League and the Qualifiers. Having had to wait until the start of his second season with the Robins to get a try, it was Donaldson's sole season in the Championship that saw him record his most tries in a single season with nine.

In Rhinos colours, Donaldson had to wait until Spring to get his first four-pointer. Clashing with Huddersfield over the Easter period, the forward came off the bench to latch on to Brad Dwyer's kick and score under the posts.

2020 saw him triple his 2019 tally with three tries, two coming against his former club Hull KR in the league and Cup and one coming against Hull FC.

During 2021 and 2022, he finished both season with two tries, his latest coming in a convincing 40-4 outing against Warrington on the road to Old Trafford.

25 - Leeds Rhinos squad number

A shirt number that has become synonymous with the name Donaldson at the Rhinos, James has worn the number 25 shirt in each season he has been with the Rhinos.

He will don the number again in 2024 too! 

Tickets available now

Tickets are on sale now online and are available to all fans from today at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0113, or fans can buy in the club shop. All areas of the ground will be open excluding the AMT East Stand seats which will be closed for this fixture.

There will be a member’s discount available which is £3 off the general match ticket price for adults and concessions and is available to Rhinos 2024 Season Members / Rhinos 2024 Flexi Members / Rhinos 2024 Supporter Members and will also be available for Hull KR 2024 members. Rhinos 2024 Season Members positions will not be held for this game.

The Member’s discount is valid until midnight the day before the game (please be aware this will be online if Club Shop and Ticket Office Phone Lines are closed) and tickets can be collected on match day or received as print at home tickets which can be either printed off or used on mobile phones at the turnstiles on match day (smartphones only). On match day all ticket prices will be general ticket price.

Junior tickets for members and non-members are priced at £5 for standing and £10 for seating – this is available both in advance and on match day.  

For more information, click here.