Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that hooker George Roberts has re-signed for the 2025/26 season.

Born in Wrexham, North Wales, George Roberts is one of the longest standing squad members in the Doncaster Knights first team, as the 2025/26 season will be his sixth at Castle Park. he currently sits on 90 caps. 

Roberts started his career for his birthplace rugby club, Wrexham RFC, where he played at junior level. He also made multiple appearances for the senior squad, before joining RGC 1404’s academy in 2016. He then signed his first club contract with the Colwyn Bay side and spent a successful season with them in 2019/20 in the Super Rygbi Cyrmu league.

After the COVID break, George was snapped up by Doncaster Knights in 2021 and made his debut for the club in March 2021 against Ampthill, since then he has become a constant within the squad. This season alone, Roberts has made 112 tackles and 73 carries. 

 

Forwards Coach Darren Fearn said:

“Geo committing to the club for another season is brilliant for our group, he is one of our most experienced players. On the field, his set piece and work ethic is a major part of our game and off the field, he is a leader. Geo has the characteristics that will help take this group forward, hard working, striving to improve daily and the want to achieve. We are delighted to have Geo with us next season.” 

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“Geo is one of the longest serving players at the club now, the experience he brings to the squad is a real quality. He is always up for the battle, fearless when looking for a chop tackle or diving on a loose ball. The big games seem to bring the best out in Geo, raising his game to another level while taking the team with him. To have him at the club for another year is a real asset for us moving forward.”

 

 

Doncaster Knights players Fred Davies and Jasper McGuire have been named in a Barbarians FC Squad. 

The barbarians will help celebrate two historic moments in May with back-to-back fixtures against Durham University RFC and Glasgow Acadmicals RFC.

Fred Davies will be playing in the team against Durham University on the 3rd of May. With both Davies and McGuire set to appear against Glasgow Academicals RFC on May 10th.

The historic touring club will take to the field to entertain supporters in their opening games of 2025 to firstly celebrate DURFC’s 150th anniversary before heading further north a week later to mark the 100th anniversary of Scotland’s 1925 Grand Slam success.

Today, at Castle Park, Doncaster Knights hosted a collection of schools for a year 7 rugby tournament. 

Ex-Knight ‘Kendo’ has been working with a group of Knights Academy coaches to plan and deliver a fantastic day in the sunshine, helping grow the game and introduce girls to the sport and our club. 

The day was a big success, with the players taking part in a tournament of games as well as some fun training drills and challenges. 

Congratulations to Hall Cross Academy who were the winners of today’s tournament after a very competitive final! 

 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce that loose head prop Conor Davidson has re-signed for next season.

Australian-born Conor began his rugby career playing at semi-professional New South Wales club, Manly Marlins, in 2016, who play in the Shute Shield.

Davidson then was scouted out and had a season stint at Yorkshire Carnegie, where he played alongside Head Coach, Joe Ford, in his final year of professional rugby before becoming a coach. Conor then returned to Australia for another season at Manly.

Due to an injury crisis at the Knights, Conor was recruited in October 2021 to make the move to Castle Park. Since then, he has devoted all his time and effort into this club, becoming a real fan favourite. He has now racked up 63 caps for us. 

Forwards Coach Darren Fearn said:

“I am chuffed to bits Con will be here next season, I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person, he is valued so much by our group. Con is a great professional and has a brilliant attitude. On field he is an all round rugby player, he gets through so much work, work which is integral to the team performing. Con’s experience is key to our group moving forward.” 

Head of recruitment Matt Harland said:

“It’s absolutely brilliant news for the club that Davo has decided to re-sign, what he gives to the team is invaluable. The way he’s come back this season after his injury early on, you would have never known he’d been away. That’s the level of commitment and professionalism Davo brings. Not only that, he’s a hell of player and another that does his talking on the pitch and goes about his business. The numbers he produces in games is outstanding for a prop.” 

 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to share that flanker, Rhys Tait has re-signed for another season at Castle Park.

Born in the small town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, Rhys started his rugby career with Hawick minis along with his education at Hawick High School. He then moved on a scholarship to prestigious rugby school, Sedbergh, where he continued to develop his game, and was rewarded with international caps at his age group.

Tait represented Scotland at Under 16 and Under 18 level, before having the honour of captaining the Under 20 team at the 2021 Six Nations.

Thanks to his performances in the U20s Six Nations, Rhys signed his first professional contract with Glasgow Warriors and worked his way through the academy. Rhys then came to Doncaster on loan towards the back end of the 2022/23 season, before signing a full-time contract with the Knights two seasons ago. 

This season, Tait has thrived with the Knights, making 67 carries, 136 tackles and a 97% successful tackle rate, in the league alone (not including the premiership cup).

Forwards coach Darren Fearn said:

“It’s great Rhys has committed to the club for another year, he’s a grafter with a great attitude. His performances were rightly recognised with his Scotland u23s call up earlier in the season. He does so much work to make this team tick does Rhys, work which doesn’t always get the limelight, the unseen work. We are really excited to have him as part of our group next season.” 

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“We are delighted that Rhys has re-signed with the club for another season. Rhys has shown this season how important he is to this team and how we want to play, he goes about his business and does the things that not many people notice. We were all so proud that his hard work and performances this season earned him a call up to the Emerging Scotland team. We’re really excited to see him take his game to another level here at the club next season.” 

 

Doncaster Knights are very pleased to share that scrum half, Alex Dolly has committed to a fifth season in blue and red!

Born and raised in Australia, Alex Dolly, who is an English Qualified Player through his grandfather, initially moved to the UK in 2017 to play cricket before picking up Rugby with Fylde. He then moved from the West coast and made the transfer to fellow South Yorkshire side, Rotherham Titans in 2018.

After a stellar season with the Titans, playing 29 matches and scoring 203 points, he moved up a league and joined Nottingham in 2019. The pandemic disrupted his time at The Archers, however he still made 30 appearances across his two years and was selected in the Championship Clubs Team of the Season for 2020/21.

In 2021, Alex made the move to Castle Park and since then has never looked back. Currently on 92 caps, Dolly is set to become a Doncaster Knights centurion. We are delighted to still have Dolly in the squad, proving an essential part of the team, currently having scored 100 points this season and an 83% kicking accuracy. 

Consultant DOR Sir Ian McGeechan said: 

“Alex has, without a doubt, become a key component of this Doncaster Knights team and how we want to play. We are so pleased he is continuing at the club, he is really important in ensuring we can collectively progress with our game.”

“His impressive ability as a goal kicker has also become a winning asset, as proven this season with so many of the Championship games coming down to just one point.”

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said:

“We are delighted to have Alex at the club for another year. Dolly is a competitor in everything he does, always driving standards from himself and his team mates. We’ve seen over the years and even more so this season what an all round rugby player he is covering both 9 & 10. Whether it’s slotting a Penalty to win a game or coming up with a penalty to turn a game, Dolly never shys away from stepping up for the club.”

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce that our club captain Ben Murphy, has re-signed for 2025/26

Born in Wales, second row Ben Murphy was a product of the regional pathways in Wales, beginning his rugby career at Abercynon for their junior squads, and played there until he was 18.

In 2014, he then signed for Merthyr RFC, who at the time, were in the Welsh Championship. Murphy had a successful 3 years at the South Wales side, aiding in their epic success by winning the Championship in his second season and immediately winning the Welsh Premiership the season after.

In 2017, Ben was spotted by URC team, Cardiff Blues, and that was where he spent the next period of his career. It was part-way through the 2021/22 season that Murphy made his way up to Doncaster in the November. 

Ben is now one of the longest serving members of the current squad, and on 64 caps for the Knights. A key figurehead within the group, whose style of captaincy consist of him leading by example and always driving a consistent high standard on the pitch and during training. 

Forwards Coach Darren Fearn said: 

“We are delighted Murph has re-signed. He’s a massive part of this group on and off the field who is valued so much by the players and the staff. I work closely with Murph and I see how much work he puts in during the week so that this team can perform.” 

“What we are seeing with Murph, is how much influence he is having in games, especially around that set-piece. It’s not by chance, it’s the due diligence and the effort and the graft that he puts in, which is making him one of the best line out operators in the Championship. I’m excited to see Murph continue to develop as a leader and as a rugby player and I’m chuffed to bits he’s gonna be part of this group moving forward.”

Head of recruitment Matt Harland said:

“Murph has now been with the club for four years so to extend that stay for another year is brilliant news for the club. He’s always done his talking on the pitch and leads by example. Having worked with Murph over the last few years, I’ve seen first hand the hard work he puts in off the pitch. Murph is never one to take a backward step and sums up exactly what this team is about”

 

Doncaster Knights Past Players Lunch – Coventry Matchday Special

Join us at Castle Park on Saturday, 10th May 2025, for a special Past Players Lunch as we celebrate the rich history of the Doncaster Knights ahead of our Championship clash with Coventry Rugby!

This exclusive event is a fantastic opportunity for former players, supporters, and guests to reunite, share memories, and enjoy a fantastic matchday experience.

Event Details:

Venue: Castle Park, Doncaster

Doors Open: 12:00pm

Kickoff: 2:30 PM – Doncaster Knights vs Coventry Rugby

Cost: £22.50 (Match Ticket Sold Separately) 

What to Expect:

A two-course pre-match meal in the Arms Park Bar, our delicious Cow Pie, Chips & Mushy Peas and a Cheeseboard to follow.

Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with former players, enjoy great food, and witness a high-stakes Championship fixture!

#KnightsFamily | #OnceAKnightAlwaysAKnight | #COYK

Click here to book a place!

After our short break for Easter, the Knights return to action on Saturday, May 3rd (KO 3.00pm) at Caldy seeking their 8th consecutive victory.

To help to support the squad we will organise a coach to the game if there is sufficient demand. It is important that we have as full a coach as possible to support the Knights particularly after their encouraging recent performances and we plan to keep the maximum amount we charge at £30 per supporter. The coach will cost £890 which will require us to have 30 supporters to cover the cost. 

I am hoping to confirm our booking with Buckleys by noon on Monday, April 28th so you must text John Lowe before then. 

The match kicks off at 3pm so the coach will leave Buckley’s garage in Blaxton at 10.30am and, after our usual pickups in Auckley, Branton, Cantley and Armthorpe, should arrive at Castle Park at around 11am. From there it will proceed along Balby Road for a pick-up opposite the Winning Post before heading west. If you are leaving your car at the club please leave it on the limestone car park.

The coach will leave Caldy for the return journey 45 minutes after the final whistle please.

Please text John Lowe on 079 7711 2706 to reserve your seat.

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that winger, Semesa Rokoduguni will remain at Doncaster Knights for next season.

Semesa “Roko” Rokoduguni began his career in the Army, playing rugby at an amateur level before representing the Army’s rugby team on multiple occasions.

In 2012, at the age of 25, Roko signed a professional contract with Bath Rugby and stayed with the Premiership club for an amazing 10 seasons, playing 194 times for the club and scoring 71 tries. In 2022, he then moved to French D2 side, US Montauban.

While balancing his rugby with a career in the Army, Roko holds the rank of Lance Corporal and also served in Afghanistan. To top off an exciting life, Semesa also represented England on four occasions, scoring four times, with his debut being against the All Blacks in the 2014 Autumn Internationals.

Last season, he began his time here with the Knights and since then, has become an essential part of the club’s development. Currently having scored six tries this season and more importantly, has created countless chances for the players around him to score. 

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said:

“To have a player of Roko’s caliber available to the club is a real luxury and one we don’t take lightly. Roko is another player who you can tell loves the game and wants to give back as much as he can. Which is something he does in abundance, taking time to speak with younger players and helping them develop and improve.”

“We are very privileged that he has decided to stay with us for another year and help the club continue its journey.”

Consultant DOR Sir Ian McGeechan said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Rocco has re-signed, his quality and experience is so valuable in setting the standards, not only during games, but also during training. He is an outstanding role model for the younger players and we have really seen the benefit of having his experience around the group.” 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce that Logovi’i Mulipola will be staying at Castle Park for the 2025/26 season.

Born on the Manono Island of Samoa, Logovi’i has been essential in bringing experience to the team this season. He began his career in his home country, and earning his first international appearance in 2009 and going on to represent Samoa over 30 times, including two World Cups.

Mulipola moved to England to join Leicester Tigers in 2011, playing over 130 times for them and winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2012 and the Premiership in 2013.

In 2018, he joined fellow Premiership side, Newcastle Falcons, for 5 years, making 63 appearances for the club. During his tenure in the North East he spent a loan spell at Gloucester Rugby.

Logovi’i left Falcons in 2013, and signed at Montpellier Hérault during the World Cup campaign as positional cover. He then joined Saracens on a permanent deal until the end of the 2024. before signing here at Doncaster Knights. 

Mulipola has been a huge addition to the Knights squad. 

Forwards coach Darren Fearn said: 

“We are chuffed to bits that Logo has re-signed, you don’t achieve what Logo has in his career without being an exceptional rugby player. We’ve seen Logo’s quality on field this season and I know that will continue to be the case, because every time Logo pulls on that shirt, he wants to win and he is an ultimate competitor.” 

“I have been fortunate enough to know Logo for a big chunk of time now, so I’ve experienced this first hand. But everybody you speak to who has worked with Logo in their environment says what a brilliant bloke he is and I can 100% vouch for that. So, we are delighted Logo is continuing to be a part of our crew and help us build.” 

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said:

“To have a player like Logo Mulipola in any squad is priceless. The experience he brings and calmness he generates throughout the squad has been vital in these last 7 games.”

“You can tell he is someone who just loves rugby and being in around the lads. He’s brilliant for the coaches as he does what he thinks is best for the team. So to have Logo for another season is brilliant for the club”