Nottingham Sunday
Steve Boden
With one of the toughest season’s in recent history behind them and the prospect of the Semi Final of the British and Irish Cup laying in front of them the Knights must focus this weekend on a trip to Meadow Lane to face Nottingham.
London Welsh defeating Nottingham last weekend keeps the Knights chances alive, but the Cross Road between success and failure has been reached. Depending on the direction Doncaster this weekend it could be a journey to a second semi final or just the B&I Cup to concentrate on.
A fantastic performance against Nottingham in their first playoff meeting saw the Knights come away with the win, last weekend a harsh lesson was taught by Exeter about how tough a team can be at home in this situation. Nottingham are always tough competition for Doncaster, the games always becoming talking points. The fact that the Meadow Lane side will still be reeling from a 7 point loss last weekend to London Welsh, this will make them more dangerous opposition than ever.
Oli Goss ( Doncaster), Ed Slater ( Nottingham) and Tom Youngs ( Nottingham) all sit on 2 tries each so far in the playoffs competition. Each will be hoping to collect at least their third try this weekend.
The top two teams in the Play Off groups go through to the Semi Finals, the table currently is topped by Exeter who still have both London Welsh and Nottingham to play.
Exeter Chiefs 14 pts
Nottingham 10 pts
London Welsh 9 pts
Doncaster 5 pts
The equation is simple for Doncaster but not entirely in their own hands as they go into their game against the second placed side.
If the Knights can beat Nottingham and London Welsh, and Exeter can continue their good for and defeat both then a Semi Final place is within the grasp of Doncaster.
A loss to either Nottingham or London Welsh, or a defeat of Exeter for either side puts the focus firmly on the British and Irish Cup for the Knights chance at Silverware.
Doncaster Knights visit Nottingham Rugby on Sunday afternoon, so will know the result of Saturdays encounter between London Welsh and the Exeter Chiefs.
