James Telfer (born 17 March 1940) is a Scottish former rugby union coach and player.
With Sir Ian McGeechan he had success with both the Scotland national team and the British Lions.
Telfer played for Melrose RFC and was still a student when he was first selected for international duties.
Allan Massie wrote of him: Telfer played back row for Scotland and for the British Lions in 1966 and 1968.
In his third term as head coach from 1998 to 1999, Scotland won the final Five Nations Championship.