| Birth name | James Hudson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 28 October 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 113 kg (17 st 11 lb) [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Solihull School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Bath | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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James Hudson (born 28 October 1981 in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, England) is a former rugby union player
He was educated at Solihull School, where he gained 1st XV stripes as a lock.
Hudson started his career at Bath Rugby, his form led to a selection for the 2006 Churchill Cup.[2] However, citing a lack of first team rugby, Hudson elected to join London Irish at the end of the 2005–06 season.[3]
During his time at the club, Hudson rotated his role in the second row alongside Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy, however towards the beginning of 2009 he began to take a step up in the pecking order. This led to him starting in the 2008–09 Guinness Premiership semi final, scoring a scored a try against Harlequins at The Stoop as London Irish won 17–0 to book their place in the final.[4] Hudson started the subsequent final, as London Irish lost 10–9 to Leicester Tigers.[5]
The following season Hudson joined the Newcastle Falcons for the 2009–10 season.,[6] establishing himself as a regular starter. As a result of this Hudson was nominated as club captain for the 2010-2011 season, something he has continued until this day.
Despite signing a new two-year deal in 2011 it is expected[by whom?] that Hudson will leave Newcastle Falcons upon their impending relegation from the Premiership.[citation needed]
On 19 March 2013, it was announced Hudson would leave Newcastle Falcons to join Gloucester Rugby in the Aviva Premiership on a three-year deal.[7]
On 26 October 2016, Hudson was forced to retire from professional rugby after failing to overcome a serious knee injury.[8]