James Batchelor (born 9 April 1998) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for Hull KR in the Super League and the England Knights at international level.
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | James Batchelor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 9 April 1998 Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 15 st 6 lb (98 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 7 November 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He has spent time on loan from Wakefield at the Dewsbury Rams in the Championship.
Background
editBatchelor's youth team was Crigglestone All Blacks; he was picked up by Wakefield Trinity via the Wakefield College team.
He is the brother of Joe Batchelor who plays for St Helens in the Super League.
Career
editBatchelor played eight games in 2017 before picking up a hip injury that ended his season.[3][4] After six years at Wakefield Trinity, Batchelor announced that he had signed a two-year deal to join Hull Kingston Rovers ahead of the 2023 season.[5] On 12 August 2023, Batchelor played for Hull Kingston Rovers in their 17-16 golden point extra-time loss to Leigh in the Challenge Cup final.[6] Batchelor played a total of 22 games for Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fourth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. He played in the clubs semi-final loss against Wigan.[7] On 12 October 2024, Batchelor played in Hull Kingston Rovers 2024 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[8]
International career
editIn July 2018 he was selected in the England Knights Performance squad.[9] Later that year he was selected for the England Knights on their tour of Papua New Guinea. He played against Papua New Guinea at the Lae Football Stadium.[10]
References
edit- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Wakefield 10 Warrington 38: Chester left excited at Trinity rookie Batchelor's debut". The Yorkshire Post. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "ACADEMY STAR BATCHELOR SIGNS FOUR YEAR DEAL". Wakefield Wildcats. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "Wakefield's James Batchelor confirms Super League switch". www.loverugbyleague.com. 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 16-17 Leigh Leopards - Leigh claim first Wembley final win in 52 years". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Relive Wigan's thumping win v Hull KR to head to Grand Final". BBC Sport. 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Wigan v Hull KR: Super League Grand Final 2024 – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Ten new additions in England Knights squad". loverugbyleague. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea vs England Knights". WWOS. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2019.