Doncaster Rugby Club

Although it’s second v third on Saturday, the form book suggests the outcome may be a bit more one sided than league position would suggest.

Rotherham are in a fine vein of form, unbeaten at Clifton Lane since mid December and only twice all season, as they gamely chase Leeds Tykes to the title. Five points, and a big points difference, in arrears they know they can’t afford anything other than a bonus point win against the Knights on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.

The Knights, on the other hand, have been patchy in form since the start of January and were well beaten at Exeter last weekend. Nevertheless they remain in third place and very keen to complete a top three of Yorkshire clubs at the head of the Division. With two more games, both at home, to come anything out of Saturday’s encounter would be a bonus.

It is of course a tribal derby, which can produce special effort and where form can be turned over, which is presumably whey bookmaker Bedfred is calling the game so close (with Rotherham just favourites by six). The “A” teams met midweek in the Yorkshire Cup with the Knights’ squad comfortable winners by 41-14 and no doubt some heart will be taken from the ease of that victory.

Clive Griffiths has made changes to last week’s team, and six Clifton Lane old boys are in the starting line up. Anthony Carter is recalled at full back with Ben Gollings being tried again at outside centre. The pack contains Simon Bunting, Glen Kenworthy and Russell Earnshaw – all of whom will surely be at their feisty best on the day. The Knights won the earlier clash at Castle Park 15-9.

Knights: A Carter, P Bailey, B Gollings, J Cannon, D Van Vuuren, C Rees, B Jones, S Bunting, S Boden, N Tau, G Kenworthy, L Gross, R Earnshaw, J Forster, N Talei.

Bench: B Phillips, T Davies, B Griffiths, S Grainger, D Scully, W Davies, O Cook.

Referee: R Maybank (RFU).