After two months in pre season training, the Doncaster Knights head off on Friday for a three day camp in South Wales led by their new Director of Rugby, the former Welsh coach, Clive Griffiths. The centrepiece of the weekend will be a match against Welsh side Aberavon on the Saturday, which will give Griffiths a first chance to consider what the starting line up might become two weeks later when the league season opens with a home match against Newbury at Castle Park on 3^rd September.

The Aberavon game, though, is only part of what Griffiths intends to be a developmental trip and he has called in a few favours to get a number of top Welsh coaches to take part in the weekend by giving guest coaching clinics. The full experience of being part of a professional set up is ensured by using the Vale of Glamorgan hotel as their base, the venue long used by Welsh national teams; and including a visit to the Millennium Stadium followed by training sessions at the Welsh Institute of Sport. No weekend of this sort, though, could be without a player bonding session over a few drinks and the squad will have the opportunity to enjoy a night out in Cardiff on the Saturday – although on Sunday morning’s agenda is one last training session before leaving for Doncaster!

Griffiths said “the squad has been working very hard for a couple of months and the new players have been blended in over that period. I have also had a few knocks and injuries that were being carried over from last season seen to. It will mean that half a dozen players won’t take part in the Aberavon game as I want them to recover fully before they play competitive rugby, but they will be part of the weekend. It is important during the transition to professionalism that everyone understands the responsibilities inherent in such a move forward, on and off the pitch. This weekend will expose them to some of the best coaches in the Game, and the way in which professionals are treated. We want to hit the season against Newbury fully focused, and with a fully fit squad.”

It’s a far cry from his predecessor’s approach to pre season! A year ago Doncaster went up against Gloucester and Sale, lost heavily and sustained serious injuries. After the Aberavon weekend, the Knights will host Halifax at 1^st and 2^nd team levels on 26^th August at Castle Park in back to back matches that will give every player the chance to impress and pitch for a place in the Newbury starting line up. It will also give supporters a first chance to see the ten new signings in action. Jason Forster, the Welsh back row who moved from Newport Gwent Dragons to join Clive Griffiths at Doncaster, will succeed the retired Rob Liley as club captain.

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