Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have appointed Ben Murphy as Club Captain for the second season running. 

Ben is now one of the longest serving members of the current squad, on 69 caps for the Knights. He had a stellar first season as Skipper last year, leading the boys to a third place finish and huge winning streak. 

Born in Wales, 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 Walian 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 a lengthy period of his career. It was part-way through the 2021/22 season that Murphy ended his contract early with the Welsh capital, and made his way up to Doncaster in the November after only making 19 appearances for Cardiff.

We are delighted to be led by Murph again this year. 

Catch him in action for the first time this season on Friday night vs Edinburgh at Castle Park! GET TICKETS HERE

Doncaster Knights travelled to Edinburgh for their first of a preseason double header with the Scottish outfit. The Knights came out on top, winning 33-43 in a high scoring battle at The Hive.

It was the hosts that opened the scores, with their winger, Satala. He performed an impressive chip over the top, before chasing and collecting over the line. They added the conversion to go 7-0 up. 

Thom Smith soon answered back with a try on his first game after injury. A well executed line out brought us up to the try line, before Smith picked the ball and drove over. 7-5. 

Edinburgh then scored two more tries in quick succession. The first of which saw last season’s loan player, Tom Currie run in from out wide. Shortly after, inside centre, Matt Davidson broke into space and offloaded to supporting scrum half, Conor McAlpine. Both their tries were converted. 21-5. 

Matt Mcnab kicked off the Knight’s comeback with a brilliant try on the wing. The forwards spent a number of phases drawing the defenders in and opening up the space. The backs then moved the ball out wide and McNab powered over in the corner. 21-10

Donny began to build on the momentum and another debut try shortly followed. Aidan Cross intercepted a loose ball and made a break up to the half way line. He moved the ball across to R Olowofela who went the distance for his first Donny try. Morgan Bunting added the extras. 21-17. 

Rhys Tait led by example as today’s captain with a brilliant solo try. He powered through Edinburgh’s defence before shoving off the final defender and finishing the try. Bunting added the extras. 21-24. 

Edinburgh kept the scores close with one final try before the half time whistle. The forwards spent some time trying to drive the ball over the line, before shipping it out to their backs to finish the job. 

Half time score 28-24. 

The Knights came out firing in the second half and were the first to cross the line. Aidan Cross earned himself a try in his home country after a quick ball from Bunting opened the space for McNab to break through. He fires the ball out to Cross, allowing him to finish in the corner. 28-34

Jordan Olowofela then scored arguably the try of the day, thanks to McNab and his twin brother. McMab carried up the wing and pulled off an unbelievable dive to avoid touch while offloading. R Olowofela received the ball and passed it out the backdoor to his twin. J Olowofela dotted it down under the sticks and Alex Dolly added the conversion. 28-36

Satala then scored another solo try for the hosts, by snatching a loose ball and speeding over the line. 33-36.

Donny soon began to attack again and a huge carry at the line from East Timor Viliamu drew in the defending forwards. Dolly fired the ball out to Kerr who displayed brilliant determination to ground the ball, despite three defenders trying to hold him up. Dolly added the conversion in the 79th minute and Donny kicked the ball out after the kick off. 

Final score, Edinburgh 33 – 43 Doncaster Knights. 

Special mention to our Academy Player Lonny Fenton for making his first team debut during today’s match! 

Edinburgh will make the return journey to Castle Park next week for the second half of our pre season double header. It’s set to be a cracker after today’s try-fest! 

Secure your tickets NOW! 

Friday 26th September, 7PM KO, Castle Park. 

1.Andrew Turner, 2. Fred Davies, 3.Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Josh Bainbridge, 7. Rhys Tait (C) 8. Thom Smith, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Adian Cross, 12. Zach Kerr, 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Matt McNab, 15. Ryan Olowofela

16. George Roberts, 17. Jasper McGuire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Adam Hopkinson, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Ben Chapman, 22. Alex Dolly, 23. Russell Bennett, 24. Lonny Fenton, 25. Jordan Olowofela, 26. Josh Williams. 

Connectus Business Solutions, a leading Business Managed Services Partner based in Doncaster, has signed a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with Doncaster Knights.

The agreement will see the company extend their partnership through to the  end of the 2027/28 season.

The company has become a familiar presence in the region’s sporting and business landscape.

And it now boasts a long-standing association with the Knights which reflects Connectus’ wider commitment to local communities and regional sporting initiatives.

Roy Shelton, Group CEO of Connectus, said: “Everyone at Connectus is very excited and proud to be extending and renewing our support for Doncaster Knights. Our commitment to supporting and building great teams is at the heart of what we do at Connectus, an ethos echoed by the hard work of everyone on and off the pitch at Knights. We look forward to many days at Castle Park, cheering on the team alongside our clients, partners and colleagues.”

Roy also shares a long-standing personal connection with the club, having played rugby at Castle Park in the 1990s and helped in the construction of the clubhouse during its early development. His ongoing support reflects a genuine commitment to the club’s progress and the local sporting community.

The club has also welcomed the continued partnership. Tracey Owen, Head of Commercial, Doncaster Knights, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Roy Shelton and Connectus Business Solutions have extended their sponsorship of Doncaster Knights over the next 3 seasons. Their long-term commitment and extension to the main front of shirt sponsors demonstrates their confidence in our ambitions to progress Doncaster Knights both on and off the pitch.

“With the Knights’ values linking closely to Connectus of teamwork, respect and enjoyment, their support of the local community and businesses comes at an exciting time with the launch of the Champ League. We are looking forward to working with Roy and his team over the next 3 years and welcoming him, his clients and staff to Doncaster Knights.”

The latest agreement sees Connectus take on an expanded role as the club’s principal shirt sponsor, building on previous support and formalising its involvement with key fixtures and campaigns. This season, Connectus will serve as the club’s principal shirt sponsor and extend its support to include sponsorship of Head Coach Darren Fearn. The partnership also includes a wider calendar of events and initiatives, with Connectus backing several key moments in the Knights’ upcoming season.

Connectus are sponsoring the Knights v Edinburgh ‘A’ pre season friendly on Friday 26th September, KO 7pm and the Knights Start of Season Sponsors Lunch, which will take place in October. They are further showing their support with sponsorship of Knights v Caldy on Saturday 3rd January 2026, as part of a wider and club-endorsed activities.

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their very first Doncaster Knights side to face Edinburgh away, on Friday 19th September. 

This fixture marks the first in a home and away double header with the Scottish outfit. After tomorrow’s game, Edinburgh will make the return journey to Castle Park on Friday 26th September. 

For tomorrow’s game, Andrew Turner and Joe Jones are named as the starting props, with Fred Davies at Hooker. Or Second Row is made up of returning player Ehize Ehizode and new signing Morgan Jones. 

In the back row, our very own Scot, Rhys Tait earns the captaincy and number 7 shirt, with Josh Bainbridge named at 6 and Thom Smith our number eight. 

The replacement props are Jasper McGuire and Lewis Thiede, with George Roberts the reserve Hooker. Adam Hopkinson, East Timor Viliamu, Ben Chapman and Josh Williams will also get chance to make impact from the bench. 

In the backs, Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting will be pulling the strings at 9 and 10, with Zach Kerr and Joe Margetts supporting them from the centre. 

Our back three is made up of Aidan Cross and Matt Mcnab on the wing, with Ryan Olowofela at full back. 

On the bench, we have Alex Dolly and Russell Bennett at half back. With Academy player Lonny Fenton being given the opportunity to earn his first team debut. Jordan Olowofela is the remaining back on the bench. 

1.Andrew Turner, 2. Fred Davies, 3.Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Josh Bainbridge, 7. Rhys Tait (C) 8. Thom Smith, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Adian Cross, 12. Zach Kerr, 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Matt McNab, 15. Ryan Olowofela

16. George Roberts, 17. Jasper McGuire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Adam Hopkinson, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Ben Chapman, 22. Alex Dolly, 23. Russell Bennett, 24. Lonny Fenton, 25. Jordan Olowofela, 26. Josh Williams. 

This game against Edinburgh will be live-streamed and can be accessed HERE!

You can secure your ticket to next week’s return fixture at Castle Park NOW! Or, grab a season ticket to get the Edinburgh game at the best value, with all 13 Champ games included. 

SEASON TICKETS!

Doncaster Knights Home and Away kit for the upcoming season has officially launched! 

All replica shirts are available for purchase RIGHT NOW on our online shop. 

The club shop is stocked and ready to open for our pre season fixture against Edinburgh on Friday 26th September. 

Shop online now! 

Doncaster Knights are absolutely delighted to unveil our brand new family stand – the Ballards Family Stand. 

 Sponsored by local business, Ballards Removals Ltd, our new family stand supports our long term community goals of providing affordable tickets to local families to watch our professional rugby union team, Doncaster Knights, in the Champ League. 

 The exciting partnership with Ballards continues our strong commitment to the local community including our initiative of free tickets for all Under 16s. The relationship with Ballards further enables the Knights to provide affordable rugby union and sporting opportunities to all families. 

 The stand will feature as a prominent aspect of the Doncaster Knights matchday experience, with the stand providing the setting for families to meet, greet and have photo opportunities with first team players. 

 A local family business, Ballards Removals Ltd provided removals, storage, van hire, haulage and logistics. 

 Matt Ballard of Ballards Removals Ltd said: “We are delighted to be the stand sponsor for the new family stand at Doncaster Knights. 

 “We are a brand firmly aligned and heavily involved with Doncaster Knights and the local rugby community, from our boys playing within the Doncaster Knights mini juniors set up and myself in a rugby coaching capacity with the kids.” 

 Tracey Owen, Commercial Manager at Doncaster Knights RUFC added: “We are excited to announce Ballards Group as the new family stand sponsor at Castle Park, home of Doncaster Knights. 

 “The stand will play a pivotal part of making the stadium a fortress and help to push the team on to a successful season and beyond in the new Champ League. 

 “The stand will become the heart of the stadium on a matchday, playing a crucial role in head coach Darren Fearn’s goal of ‘getting our wonderful ground rocking’. 

 “The sponsorship deal allows the Knights to further build relationships with young people in the local community, creating more interest and engagement in our wonderful sport of rugby union, which we continue to strive to promote at all levels.” 

 Tickets are on sale now in the Ballards Family Stand, starting on Friday 26th September with Doncaster Knights vs Edinburgh ‘A’ in a pre-season friendly and all games throughout the season, which starts with our first game against Cambridge on Saturday 11th October.  

 To learn more about Ballards Removals Ltd, please visit their website by clicking here. 

If you are interested about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights and how this can extend your business branding in a fun environment, then please contact Tracey Owen via email: [email protected]; or via telephone 01302 831388. 

We’re Hiring: Bar Manager

📍 Location: Castle Park, Doncaster, DN2 5QB
⏱ Hours: 30 per week
💷 Salary: £15.45 per hour

About Us

Doncaster Knights are a leading rugby union club competing in the RFU Championship. Based at Castle Park, we’ve been hosting epic events for our local community ever since we can remember. Together, we’ve built a bespoke venue and helped thousands of people to celebrate in style. 

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Bar Manager to join our busy Conference & Events Team at Doncaster Knights Rugby Club.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the bar operation across our matchdays, conferences, and events. You’ll manage our bar team, including the Assistant Bar Manager, and ensure we deliver an exceptional experience to every guest.

As part of the role, you will also act as Duty Manager on evenings and weekends, taking responsibility for the safe and smooth running of the venue.

What You’ll Do

• Managing day-to-day bar operations across matchdays, functions, and events.

• Leading, training, and motivating bar staff to deliver excellent service.

• Overseeing stock control, ordering, and compliance with licensing laws.

• Acting as Duty Manager on evenings and weekends, supervising staff and ensuring customer satisfaction.

• Working closely with the Head of Conference & Events to hit budgets and develop new ideas.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous bar or hospitality management experience.

• Strong leadership and organisational skills.

• Knowledge of licensing, health & safety, and compliance

• A customer-focused approach with great communication skills.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and matchdays.

• A Personal Licence Holder would be an advantage.

Why join us?

• £15.45 per hour, 30-hour contract.

• Be part of a dynamic team in a unique rugby club environment.

• Opportunity to shape and grow the bar service at Doncaster Knights.

Bar Manager – Job Description

How to Apply

Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Doncaster Knights season ticket holders and club sponsors are invited to apply for the chance to receive tickets to next year’s international fixtures.

The Club receives a set ticket entitlement for all games and when demand outstrips supply, tickets will be allocated via a ballot system.

The available games and prices are as follows:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!