Leeds Rhinos' James Donaldson talks testimonial, 2024 plans and why Nene Macdonald's return is good news

A hot property in his teens, the Cumbrian made his debut for Bradford Bulls in 2009 and has since endured a series of setbacks which would have broken many other professionals. It seemed to be all over at the end of 2018 when he was left without a club, but Leeds took him on as a trialist and he has since become a mainstay of their squad, making more than 100 appearances.

Though he hasn’t served 10 years in one team, which is the usual qualification for a testimonial, the 32-year-old has been granted a three-month benefit for services to the game and is “over the moon to get it sorted”.

He said: “Where else would you want to have a testimonial than Leeds Rhinos? It’s 15 years I’ve done now, I debuted in 2009, signed for Hull KR in 2014 and Rhinos on a trial in 2019.

“I’ve had three acls, loads of other injuries and lots of adversity: two relegations, one with Bradford and one with Hull KR, two administrations with Bradford. It has been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t change anything in my career now.

“I could look back and say ‘what if this’ or what if that’, but all those things have made me a better person, probably a better player, a better professional and probably a better dad as well.

“It has been an amazing journey, there have been so many times when I thought about giving up and I suppose a testimonial is a reward for getting through the tough times as well as the good times.”

The move to Rhinos, after Hull KR decided not to keep him on, breathed new life into Donaldson’s career and he stressed: “It has been a joy to finish off at a club like Leeds where we’ve had bits of success. I’ve played in a Challenge Cup final at an empty Wembley - as well as one for Hull KR - and I got to a Grand Final with Leeds as well. They are things you dream of as a kid and joining this club has made my dreams come true.”

Donaldson’s immediate future was settled in August when he signed a new one-year contract, extending his previous deal which was due to expire at the end of the season.

That will take him to the age of 33, but he insisted: “I am not saying that will be it. I will see how it goes.

“I want to make sure I am still competing and I am at my best. If I don’t think I can give my best to this club I will hold my hands up and say that. I will end it when I think it’s right, not let injuries or somebody else end it for me, I hope.