Doncaster Knights Rugby Club can confirm that, following a detailed strategic review, the club will adopt a new hybrid operating model ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The decision, taken by Club President Steve Lloyd in consultation with the Board and senior rugby leadership, reflects the evolving financial landscape of professional rugby and the club’s long-term commitment to sustainability, competitiveness, and player welfare.

Under the new model, Doncaster Knights will continue to compete fully and ambitiously in the RFU CHAMP, but with an adjusted approach to how the rugby programme is delivered.

The rugby budget will operate at a reduced level under the new hybrid model. Players will be supported in pursuing opportunities to supplement or match their current earnings by developing careers and professional pathways alongside their rugby commitments, while continuing to train and compete in a professional environment. This reflects the reality of modern professional rugby, where even at “full-time” clubs many players already balance rugby with a second income or career path.

Player training days and times will be slightly reduced and adjusted, though not significantly. The rugby programme will remain high-quality and performance-led, while offering greater flexibility within the weekly schedule.

The adjusted training structure also places Doncaster Knights in a stronger position to work with Premiership/Elite clubs with whom we already have positive relationships. This will allow the squad to be strengthened through carefully selected loan players, increasing overall squad depth and competition while maintaining a strong Doncaster Knights core and identity.

The Club will also continue to watch with interest developments currently under discussion regarding the expansion and repositioning of Prem Rugby. A Yorkshire Prem team is central to the desires of the RFU, PRL and the whole of Yorkshire rugby. Doncaster’s ambitions continue unabated to create an investable and sustainable team to play at the highest level of English professional rugby.

This change represents a proactive step to ensure Doncaster Knights remain a stable, ambitious, and competitive club in a changing professional rugby landscape. The club remains fully committed to on-field performance, developing talent, and maintaining strong connections with supporters, partners, and the local community.

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that Prop, Micky Rewcastle has joined up with the squad ahead of Saturday’s fixture in Cambridge. 

Rewcastle joins on loan this week to provide cover in the front row. Capped by England Under-18s during the 2021-22 season, he played his junior rugby with Gosforth Academy, Blaydon RFC and Durham county.

Doncaster Knights are offering you the opportunity to win Six Nations tickets.

On Saturday 7th February, England host Wales in their opening game of the tournament at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. England are in impressive form currently, on a ten match winning run.

You can win two tickets in our social media competition. Simply visit the Facebook link here, click the link and fill in your details. 

The winner will be contacted on Friday 30th January.

The CHAMP have now confirmed the exact dates and kick off times for the remainder of the season. Doncaster Knights fixtures are as follows: 

Saturday 24th January – Cambridge (AWAY) – 2PM 

Saturday 31st January – Cornish Pirates (HOME) – 2:30PM

Saturday 7th February – Worcester Warriors (AWAY) – 2:30PM

Saturday 14th February – Bedford Blues (HOME) – 2:30PM 

Friday 20th February – Chinnor (AWAY) – 7:45PM 

Saturday 28th February – Ealing Trailfinders (HOME) – 2:30PM 

Saturday 21st March – Coventry (AWAY) – 3:00PM 

Friday 27th March – Hartpury (HOME) – 7:30PM

Saturday 4th April – Ampthill (AWAY) – 3:00PM 

Friday 10th April – Richmond (HOME) – 7:30PM 

Saturday 18th April – London Scottish (HOME) – 2:30PM

Saturday 2nd May – Caldy (AWAY) – 3:00PM 

Saturday 9th May – Nottingham (HOME) – 3:00PM 

Purchase tickets for any remaining home fixture here!

Doncaster Knights are delighted to welcome Adam Gilliver of Elite Construction Group (North) as sponsors this season.

Entertaining their clients, prospects and staff, Adam Gilliver and his guests are enjoying hospitality in our newly refurbished Albemarle Suite for the season, which provide the best views in the house pre match, overlooking the pitch. Relaxing with delicious food, private bar and an entertaining afternoon of rugby union action this has been the perfect setting to connect with their clients out of the busy working week. 

Elite Construction Group (North) are civils and construction specialists with over 40 years experience of a multitude of construction applications. Covering all aspects of civils, developments and highways they have a proven track record of delivering high-quality cost-effective solutions.

With a team of experienced professionals with a passion for the construction industry, a commitment to providing clients with the highest level of service & support and investment in training and development they certainly deliver quality. For further details visit their website here.

Having a driveway board and pitchside perimeter advertising boards at Doncaster Knights certainly provides their business with plenty of coverage at games for fans, supporters and sponsors, through photos, social media coverage, live streaming with Clubber TV and beyond. Elite Construction have been involved with our sponsors lunches making new connections and networking to grow their contacts. 

It has been a pleasure to entertain Adam and his guests and we are looking forward to the rest of the season with them as well as growing and developing our relationship.

For full details of hospitality, sponsorship, advertising and networking events at Doncaster Knights and how this can benefit your business then please contact Tracey Owen on [email protected].

Everyone at Doncaster Knights is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, David Kirk. 

David played for Doncaster during the 1960s and 1970s as a first team hooker. He has been a supporter of the club and a regular to Castle Park ever since.

The club sends their deepest condolences to all his family and friends at this sad time, he will be massively missed here at Doncaster Knights.

Castle Park is set to host an exciting double header on Saturday 17th January as Yorkshire Academy field two teams to take on Bristol Bears Academy. 

The U18s side, who compete in the Prem Rugby Next Gen league, will face Bristol Bears u18’s, while Yorkshire u17s will go head to head with Bears U17’s in a development league. 

Both games take place at a staggered kick off so fans can enjoy both age groups back to back! 

Yorkshire U18’s v Bristol Bears U18’s – 1:30PM Kick Off – Pitch 1

Yorkshire U17’s v Bristol Bears U17’s – 3:30PM Kick Off – Pitch 4 (Artificial Pitch)

It is free entry on the day and there will be a bar open on site! 

The perfect way to get your fill of Yorkshire based Rugby union while Doncaster Knights and the Championship are on a mid-season break!

Everyone at Doncaster Knights is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Joyce Waddington. 

Joyce is the wife of former first XV captain and life member Peter Waddington. Peter played more than 500 times for Doncaster and Joyce and Peter have been club members for over 60 years. Their sons Nick and Andrew also played for Doncaster during the 1990’s.

The funeral will take place on Wednesday 21st January at 1pm at Barnby Moor Crematorium, followed by a celebration of her life which takes place at Mount Pleasant Hotel.

The club sends their deepest condolences to all her family and friends at this sad time, she will be massively missed here at Doncaster Knights.

Doncaster Knights fall short against Caldy as a penalty try with the clock in the red gifts the visitors a 27-28 win. 

The Knights started bright as they got themselves over the line in the first minute, Josh Bainbridge broke through the line into space, before moving the ball to Rhys Tait. Tait was tackled just short of the line, but the Knights moved the ball quickly and a few phases later, Adam Hopkinson drove over the line. Morgan Bunting added the extras. 7-0. 

Caldy demonstrated early on that it wouldn’t be easy for the Knights, as they snatched a try back almost instantly. Obi Ene made a big break to bring them into the 22, before they shifted the ball to the opposition winger, finding a way over in the corner. The added conversion levelled the scores 7-7. 

Zach Kerr put in a brilliant kick over the top of Caldy’s defence, which Jordan Olowofela chased down brilliantly before finishing in the corner. 12-7

Another home try followed as the ball is moved quickly up the wing by Rhys Tait and J Olowofela to bring Donny into the 22. The Knights continued to attack and a huge carry from Joe Margetts finished the job, the centre shrugged off multiple defenders to drive the ball over the line. Bunting’s conversion was successful, 19-7.

The visitors then kept the scores close, as they claimed the final try of the first half through a dominant rolling maul, half time score 19-12. 

Caldy carried their momentum into the second half as they opened the scores. A little chip through is chased and grounded by Charlie Hyde, with the conversion putting them ahead 19-21.

Caldy weren’t given the lead for long as a solid penalty kick from Bunting edged Doncaster back ahead. And the fly half continued to work his magic for the Knight’s next try, placing a perfect cross field kick into the arms of Ryan Olowofela, 27-21.

The Knights worked hard to hold Caldy out with a huge defensive set, winning the ball in the driving maul and stopping Caldy from 5m out. Unfortunately for the home team it wasn’t quite enough as Caldy found themselves back on the line with the clock in the red, and a penalty try meant they were awarded the full seven points to claim a 27-28 win. 

The Knights now have a two week break before facing Cambridge away on January 24. They return to Castle Park on January 31st to face Cornish Pirates, secure your tickets here.

Lewis Thiede will reach a major milestone this weekend as he makes his 100th appearance for Doncaster Knights. 

The tight head prop reflects on the occasion: “I think it’s a mix of emotions, really. Starting out my rugby journey here in the mini juniors is something you only aspire to just to make it, to get on the pitch just once.”

Having come through the club’s junior and academy system, Thiede admits the journey to 100 appearances has not been straightforward, with a long spell away from Castle Park before returning later in his career “Having quite a big break in between has made it strange, because I started my career here, then went on and played for different clubs, and now I’ve come back towards the end of my career. It’s quite strange because I’ve now got a family.”

Thiede’s family will be watching on this weekend, making the occasion even more special. “I’ve got two kids who come and watch, and it’s going to be special for me and my family, my mum and dad as well, obviously, for everything they’ve done throughout the years. It’s nice for them to come and see that it was all worth something.”

Reaching 100 games for the Knights has always been a target for Thiede, even though his career path took him away from Doncaster earlier on. “It’s a milestone that I’ve always wanted to hit. When I was growing up, I didn’t want to be a person that went from club to club, but when I was here originally I got an opportunity to go to Wasps and move to the Premiership.”

After stints at Wasps, Bristol Bears and Ealing, he returned to his boyhood club. “I’m so happy to be back here. Playing not just 100 games, but 100 games for my home club. It’s massive.”

Looking back, Thiede still remembers his first appearance in a Doncaster shirt. “The first game I played was a pre-season friendly against Glasgow Warriors. I came off the bench and I scrummaged really well, but if you asked me what I did that was good, I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t really know what I was doing.”

“I had brilliant mentors. Massimo was our scrum coach then and he was brilliant for me. There would’ve been a process behind it, but that’s the only thing I really remember.”

He reflected on his highlights from his time at the club: “The games against Ealing last season, those wins were nice because they were top of the pyramid, and it was good to show what we’re about as a team.”

“From when I was first here to now, it’s the same. It’s just a good group of lads, a good group of blokes, and it’s a privilege to be able to put on the shirt.”

As a Doncaster local, representing the club in front of a home crowd holds special significance. “I’m from Doncaster,  I don’t go to the shop without seeing somebody who’s a fan, or someone I’ve played rugby with, or something like that. So to be able to play in front of a home crowd is special.”

With friends, parents, partner and children all set to be in attendance, Thiede is looking forward to marking the milestone in familiar surroundings. “My mum and dad will be here, my partner and kids will be here watching. They’re getting really into it, so it’s exciting. It’s a really nice way to do it at home.”