Dougie Flockhart

The entertainment for Sunday’s British and Irish Cup clash has now been confirmed, with pre match duties being taken on by a full pipe band to welcome our visitors from across the border. After the success of the Scunthorpe and District Pipe Band on their last appearance, when the Knights took on Glasgow Warriors pre season, they will be returning to add some Scottish flavour to the clash which will be both clubs first in the fledgling competition.

Also returning will be Sharon Clarke, to entertain post match in the De Mulder Lloyd Stand. It is a welcome return for Sharon who entertained the crowd previously as part of the band “Eat at Joes” who were a resounding success for the post match party. The crowd is expected to be a lively one due to the successful promotion to junior and amateur clubs to enjoy a discounted meal deal ticket, partnered with one of the clubs regular cash back offers.

The game itself kicks off at 2pm, and will be a stern test for the Knights facing the current Scottish Hydro Premier Champions who currently share the top spot with Currie in that league on points difference. With Howells facing an opposing headache to the first half of the season, more fit players than starting positions, much thought will have to go into who gains the honor of contesting the first XV.

After Glasgow and Edinburgh, Ayr must surely be seen as Scotland’s third biggest club? On 7th March 2009, the 1st XV made history as the first Ayr team to win the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Division, after a 20-8 win against Edinburgh Accies, with 3 games still left in the season. Currently the side are in second place to Currie (Hometown club of Ali Warnock) by points difference only with both teams on 53 points (at time of writing). Ayr had defeated Currie to go level on points, and last weekend destroyed Watsonians at home with a hat trick of tries by Scott Sutherland helping the score up to 26 -5. The unusual point in that scoreline being Sutherlands position, most locks come away with the unsung hero awards rather than hat tricks.

Ayr and Doncaster have many similarities as clubs, two of the most prominent being the continued support of Amateur and Mini Junior Rugby. “Millbrae RFC” hold the same status as Doncaster Phoenix hold at Castle Park, Rugby true to the amateur ethos of the game alongside a first XV competing for what is deemed professional. Millbrae Rugby Club was formed in 2006 and entered the West Regional League in Division 3 for the 2006/7 season. The vast majority of the players came from what was previously Ayr Rugby Club's 3rd XV. Millbrae have achieved success as Doncaster Phoenix have and who knows what the future holds for the to clubs who run
The Watsonians result result pits Ayr and Currie in a “who blinks first” competition for the top spot in the table.
But for now, both sides avert their eyes from League competition and fix their gaze firmly on the British and Irish Cup.

The British and Irish Cup is launched this season, and Doncaster Knights are one of the 12 English representatives in the group stages.
A total of 24 teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will compete in the inaugural competition. T he teams will be divided into four pools of six, playing over five weekends during the Autumn International and Six Nations windows, with semi-finals and finals on April 24 and May 15 respectively.

The Knights are placed in pool D along with the following sides.

Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull, Cardiff, Doncaster Knights, Pontypridd, Rotherham Titans.
Scottish side Ayr are the current Scottish Hydro Premier champions and could prove tough opposition for the Knights, while Welsh side Cardiff should need no introduction. The Knights played Pontypridd pre season and came away from the Valleys with a hard fought draw.
 

Competing teams will comprise:

12 teams from the RFU Championship representing England; Bedford Blues, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham, Plymouth Albion and Rotherham Titans

6 top clubs from the Principality Premiership representing Wales; Aberavon, Cardiff, Llanelli, Neath, Newport and Pontypridd.

3 Irish provinces, represented by 'A' teams ; Leinster A,Munster A, Ulster A

3 Scottish sides ; Ayr, Heriot's Rugby Club, Gael Force. Gael Force are a side made up from Scotland’s two Magners League sides and the Scottish National Academy.

Be part of a piece of Doncaster Rugby history, and buy into the British and Irish Cup.