Introducing | James Kane…

Posted on 31st August 2020 by Reuben Young

The majority of the Knights squad are waiting patiently for the 2020/21 season to get going but new signing James Kane is back into it with Sydney Uni & in fine form in the Shute Shield.

James has his the ground running as his Sydney Uni side go after a third Premiership title having clocked up 69 points in his six games so far.

We caught up with James for an update & to hear his thoughts on moving to South Yorkshire.

Match day rewind | Knights vs Otley 2008.

Posted on 29th August 2020 by Reuben Young

It’s been a long while since the Knights and Otley locked horns in a competitive fixture but this classic from 2008 is definitely worth revisiting.

Boosted by loans from from Leeds Carnegie the Otley XV boasts many talents that would go on to have successful top flight careers with future England three quarter Luther Burrell starting in the thirteen jersey.

Knights XV | 15 Jamie Lennard, 14 Wes Davies, 13 Bevon Armitage, 12 Stevie McColl, 11 Donovan Van Vuuren

10 Ali Warnock, 9 Jamie Albinson, 1 Tom Davies, 2 Simon Jenkins, 3 Ngalu Tau, 4 Dan Smith, 5 Glen Kenworthy

6 Josh Afu, 7 Neil Cochrane, 8 Chris Planchant

Replacements | 16 Richard List, 17 Steve Boden, 18 Michael Cusack, 19 Adam Kettle, 20 Ollie Goss, 21 Hudson Tonga’uiha, 22 Anthony Carter

Otley XV | 15 Peter Wackett, 14 Xavier Andre, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Jon Buchanan, 11 Danny Smith, 10 Tom Rhodes, 9 Dave McCormack, 1 Steven Tretheway, 2 Will Kay, 3 Adam Hopcroft, 4 Tom Denton, 5 Paul Williams

6 Howard Parr, 7 Dan Hyde, 8 Rob Baldwin.

Replacements | 16 Ryan Wetherell, 17 Ben Steele, 18 James Craig, 19 Jacob Rowan, 20 Andy Brown, 21 Adam Greendale, 22 Tom Whittaker

Getting to know | Sam Graham.

Posted on 28th August 2020 by Reuben Young

New signing Sam Graham looks like a player that could very soon become a favourite at Castle Park.

The back-rower’s signing was confirmed in June as the 22-year-old penned from Premiership high-flyers Bristol Bears.

The West Country native carved out a handful of first time opportunities in a star-studded Bears back row as well as impressive on dual-registration with Hartpury in the Championship.

Sam is now ready for his latest challenge in South Yorkshire and is moved in and raring to get into it with the Knights, as he explains for DKTV.

Doncaster Knights vs Bedford Blues | March 2008

Posted on 20th August 2020 by Reuben Young

This weekend’s match day rewind comes from twelve years ago against long time adversaries Bedford Blues.

In the starting XV for The Blues that day were two players that would go on to represent England. Interestingly, both players started this game in positions different to those in which they were capped.

In a slight change to the usual drill the link to this weekend’s fixture will be posted exclusively on on Facebook & Twitter just click the links at 14:30 on Saturday to be redirected.

Knights XV | 15 Anthony Carter, 14 Justin Bishop, 13 Brad Hunt, 12 Spencer Davey, 11 Donovan Van Vuuren,

10 Mark Woodrow, 9 Ben Jones, 1 Richard List, 2 Steve Boden, 3 Nagle Tau, 4 Lisiate Fa’aoso, 5 Glen Kenworthy,

6 Bryn Griffiths, 7 Simon Grainger, 8 Chris Planchant

Replacements | 16 Toma Toke, 17 Ben Phillips, 18 Tom Davies, 19 Luke Gross, 20 Oliver Cook, 21 Paul Bailey, 22 Cerith Rees.

Bedford XV | 15 James Pritchard, 14 Craig Moir, 13 Liam Roberts, 12 Tom Youngs, 11 Ollie Dodge, 10 Jon Elric, 9 Karl Dickson, 1 Alistair Lyon, 2 Dan Richmond, 3 James Graham, 4 Jon Phillips, 5 Arthur Brenton, 6 Mouritz Botha, 7 Sacha Harding, 8 James Lumby

Replacements | 16 Greg Sammons, 17 Bruno Fortuna, 18 Rory McKay, 19 Will Chudley, 20 Ben Pienaar, 21 Ben Patston, 22 Matt Allen

Referee | Greg Garner

Match day rewind | Knights vs Carnegie 2011

Posted on 14th August 202015th August 2020 by Reuben Young

Tomorrow’s match day rewind sees Head Coach Steve Boden line up against Backs Coach Joe Ford in a classic Yorkshire derby.

Knights XV | 15 David McIlwaine, 14 Dougie Flockhart, 13 Ollie Goss, 12 PJ Gidlow, 11 Michael Keating, 10 Fred Burden, 9 Chris Hallam, 1 Tom Davies, 2 Steve Boden, 3 Alex Brown, 4 Matt Challinor, 5 Dom Parsons, 6 Latu Makaafi, 7 Zack Farivarz, 8 Chris Planchant

Replacements | 16 Royce Burke-Flynn, 17 Jack Yeandle, 18 Glen Kenworthy, 19 Andy Boyde, 20 Michael Noone, 21 Michael Bateman, 22 Ben Toft

Carnegie XV | 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Michael Stephenson, 13 Ian Thornily, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Peter Lucock, 10 Joe Ford, 9 Craig Hampson, 1 Mike McDonald, 2 Scott Freer, 3 Kane Palma-Newport, 4 Dan Hemingway, 5 Sean Hohneck, 6 Ryan Burrows, 7 Jacob Rowan, 8 Danny Paul

Replacement |16 Phil Nielsen, 17 Sam Lockwood, 18 Mohammed Mustafa, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Richard Beck, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Jordan Davies

Ref: Darren Gamage

Young Wasp Bacon a Knight for next season.

Posted on 13th August 2020 by Reuben Young

Teenage speedster Tom Bacon will join the Knights for the 2020/21 season on loan from Wasps Rugby.

The former Ireland U18s back links up with the Knights having enjoyed a promising 2019/20 where he made his Wasps senior debut as well as impressing on loan with Rotherham Titans.

Capable in midfield, on the wing and at full back, Tom was a key performer for the Titans scoring four tries sixteen appearances and Head Coach Steve Boden is looking forward to seeing Tom test himself in the Championship next term. “Tom is an exciting back three player who’s decisive running and pace made him a proven finisher in National One.

“He is another player with bags of potential and next season will be a great chance for Tom to grow and prove himself in a step up in competition.”

Bacon developed through the Henley College AASE programme, having featured twice and scored one try for Wasps A in their 2018/19 Premiership Rugby Shield campaign while at the college.

Tom gained a call up to Ireland Under 18s in March 2018, bagging a brace against Canada U19s at Donnybrook & is now hoping to turn heads at Castle Park soon. “I am very excited to play for Doncaster next season, I know they are a very ambitious Club and as it’s my first season in the Championship I can’t wait to get as much as I can out of it.

“I hope to bring pace and fast flowing rugby as I love get the ball in wide channels and take defenders on.

“Hopefully the season will begin sooner rather than later as I am raring to get involved and show what I can do.”

With Tom’s addition the number of Knights confirmed for 2020/21 now stands at 30.

2020/2021 current squad.

ANDREW FOSTER [CONTRACT 2ND YEAR], KYLE EVANS [CONTRACT 2ND YEAR], MATT SMITH [CONTRACT 2ND YEAR], REISS CULLEN [CONTRACT 2ND YEAR], SAM OLVER [CONTRACT 2ND YEAR].

CHARLIE FOLEY [RETAINED 1 YEAR], HOWARD PACKMAN [RETAINED 1 YEAR], WILL HOLLING [RETAINED 1 YEAR], MATT CHALLINOR [RETAINED 1 YEAR], SAM POCKLINGTON [RETAINED 1 YEAR], ROBIN HISLOP [RETAINED 2 YEARS], BEN HUNTER [RETAINED 1 YEAR].

JAMES KANE [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] MARK BEST [NEW SIGNING 1 + 1 YEAR] JAMES MITCHELL [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] CONOR JOYCE [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] TOM HILL [SIGNING 2 YEARS] SAM GRAHAM [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] BILLY MCBRYDE [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR], JAMES NEWEY [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] JACK DAVIES [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] JOE JONES [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] GEORGE ROBERTS [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR], JACK SPITTLE [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] JACK ROUSE [ONE SEASON LOAN] JOHN KELLY [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR], GAZ DENMAN [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR], JAMES WAYLAND [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR], HARRY STRONG [NEW SIGNING 1 YEAR] TOM BACON [ONE SEASON LOAN].

Match day rewind | Knights vs Nottingham.

Posted on 7th August 20208th August 2020 by Reuben Young

This week’s match day rewind comes from 2010, against Championship rivals Nottingham.

Knights XV

15 Anthony Carter

14 Andy Wright

13 Chris Briers

12 Bevon Ermitage

11 Dougie Flockhart

10 James Brooks

9 Nicky Griffiths

1 Toma Toke

2 Steve Boden
3 Ngalu Tau
4 Glen Kenworthy
5 Glen Townson
6 Neil Cochrane
7 Simon Grainger
8 Andy Boyde

16 Bryn Griffiths
17 Tom Doughty
18 Dan Smith
19 Lewis Thiede
20 Chris Hallam
21 Alistair Warnock
22 Steve McColl

Nottingham XV

15 David Jackson
14 Andrew Savage
13 Tim Streather
12 Tom Cassini
11 Donald Blake
10 Greg Tonks
9 Dan White

1 Matt Parr
2 Tom Young’s
3 Tom French
4 Callum Green
5 Nic Rouse
6 Craig Hammond
7 Luke Sherriff
8 Ed Slater

16 Charlie Hayter
17 David Marshall
18 Phil Eggleshaw
19 Peter Cook
20 Greg Sammons
21 Sam Raven
22 Ben Buxton

Unlock your potential | Academy applications open.

Posted on 6th August 20206th August 2020 by Reuben Young

Study, train and play in a fully professional environment on the rugby field and in the class room.

The Knights Academy, in partnership with Doncaster College, has created and developed programs to develop aspirational rugby players as well as preparing them for a career beyond their sport. We’ll help you balance your studies and your rugby commitments.

Our BUCS side has been elevated five levels since joining the leagues in 2015 and four of our recent graduates have gone onto sign professional contract with the Knights.

Joining the Academy means that you will benefit from the same performance services as our first team. This includes strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, and performance analysis all taking place at one of the finest rugby facilities in the country.

Your timetable will be designed with you in mind, meaning you’ll get the very best from your qualification and your training.

Our coaching team is comprised of current and former professional players with extensive coaching experience and qualifications.

Doncaster College offer 100s of further education courses and over 50 at undergraduate & post graduate level.

We are still recruiting players for the 2020/21 academic year, to find out more contact Head of Sports Admissions becky.fores@donc.ac.uk or 07855 787 780

A range of scholarship opportunities are available & interested applicants can find out more by contacting Tyson Lewis academy@castle-park.co.uk

Centre Strong drafted into Knights midfield.

Posted on 4th August 2020 by Reuben Young

The Knights have moved to bolster their midfield options with the acquisition of hard-running centre Harry Strong from Nottingham Rugby.

The 23-year-old arrives having enjoyed a fine 2019/20 season with the Green and Whites, notching up three tries in 17 appearances aiding the Lady Bay side to a 6^thplace Championship finish.

New Head Coach Steve Boden says Harry will brings a physical edge & has a good blend of qualities to match the Knights existing midfield options. “Harry will bring some real size and presence to the back line. He has a drive to improve and the right mindset for what we are looking to achieve next season and I believe he will be a great fit for us.

Born in Exeter, Harry developed through the Chiefs academy making his first team debut as a 19-year-old in the LV Cup against Harlequins. He went on to make four senior appearances at Sandy Park before being dual-registered with Cornish Pirates in summer 2017.

Strong spent two seasons at the Mennaye, featuring fifteen times in the Championship and is now focused on taking his game to the next level at Castle Park. “Steve [Boden] described to me what he wanted to bring to the Club as Head Coach in terms of creating a strong culture with ambitious players that want to work hard and progress.

His vision sits closely with what I want to achieve and to be pushed as a player to keep growing and the facilities and setting at Castle Park are fantastic; I just can’t wait to get up there and get going.”

Harry’s signing takes the number of Knights confirmed for 2020/21 to twenty-nine.