We are delighted to announce that we have signed veteran playmaker and Jamaican international James Woodburn-Hall from Sporting Olympique Avignon on a deal until the end of the 2026 Championship season (with an option for the 2027 season).
Woody, 31, has just under 250 appearances to his name across Super League, Super XIII (the former Elite One competition in France), the Championship and League One, with the bulk of those games played in the famous blue and white of Championship stalwarts Halifax Panthers.
Born in Isleworth in West London, his professional rugby league career began in the Capital with then-Super League side London Broncos in 2013 when he made his debut in a losing effort away to Warrington Wolves. He would go on to make 13 appearances and score two tries for the Broncos during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, along with a couple of games on loan to then-League One outfit London Skolars.
Despite signing a two-year extension to his Broncos contract in the Summer, the Broncos relegation to the Championship would see him move to former League One outfit Hemel Stags where he would score four tries in 13 games during the 2015 season. He would swap Hemel for London Skolars at the start of the 2016 season, but after only a few appearances at the New River Stadium he would be snapped up by Halifax.
During a decade long spell in West Yorkshire, Woodburn-Hall would be a regular feature of a Halifax Panthers side that would be one of the shining lights in the Championship. With highlights such as being part of the squads to reach the 2017 and 2018 Super League Qualifiers, the Championship playoffs in 2021, 2022 and 2025 and to win 2023 1895 Cup, he would make no fewer than 184 appearances and score no fewer than 82 tries as his versatility in the back line would prove invaluable to one of the second-tiers established sides.
Following ten seasons at The Shay, Woody departed Halifax for French Super XIII side Sporting Olympique Avignon where he would immediately slot in for the 2025/2026 season. He would help them reach the playoffs with a 5th place finish this season – scoring 8 tries in 13 appearances in the process – but a narrow 11-10 loss to Albi in the Qualifying Finals would bring his spell in the south of France to an end.
Internationally, Woodburn-Hall made his debut for Jamaica in 2018 in an all-important 16-10 win over the USA as part of the 2021 World Cup Qualifiers. He would go on to play against England Knights (2019) and Scotland (2021) before playing in all three Group Stage games against Ireland, Lebanon and New Zealand in the 2021 World Cup. His last appearance for the Reggae Warriors saw him play against France in the Northern Hemisphere play-off of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Men’s Head Coach, Mark Dunning, had this to say about landing his man:
We’re delighted to welcome James and his family to the club and wider Canes family.
I have been a big admirer of James for a number of years, and all the staff and players are looking forward to him integrating into our group for the rest of this season.
James brings a wealth of experience and ability to the team having been a standout player at this level whilst representing Halifax for a decade, as well as testing himself in the top tier of the French game and internationally for Jamaica against the likes of England and New Zealand.
He’s comfortable anywhere in the back line and the halves, which makes him a great asset for the club as he will provide some healthy competition for his teammates and allow him to cover multiple positions should he need to be called upon.
Woodburn-Hall also spoke about his excitement regarding joining the Canes:
After a season in France’s top tier playing for Avignon after a lengthy spell at Halifax, I’m really excited to join the club and be apart of the team under Mark, Leigh and the rest of the coaching staff.
Joining the Canes represents a new challenge and opportunity for me, and I’m more than ready to get to work in helping the club continue to improve the presence of the game in the Midlands.
Woody will link up with the rest of the team shortly and may be able to make his Canes debut for our upcoming home clash v Whitehaven at Avery Fields on Saturday 6 June.
