Blockbuster fixtures set to kick-off new Champ Rugby season!

The 2025/26 Champ Rugby season is fast approaching, with the fixtures for the newly formatted competition now confirmed, with qualification and play-off games adding aspiration and jeopardy excitement at the conclusion to the season.

Matches kick off on the weekend of 4 October, and the final regular season matches will take place on the weekend of 9 May 2026. All teams will play each other in home and away fixtures over 26 rounds. 

The upcoming season will include 14 teams, with Worcester Warriors and newly promoted Richmond joining the 12 teams from last season.

Champ Rugby will live stream games this season, with at least one fixture per round available on YouTube, increasing the visibility of the league and showcasing its rising talent, community pride and elite performances. 

The Knights will play a part in the opening game of the season as we travel to Nottingham on Friday October 3 for the first ever game of the ‘Champ Rugby’ league. 

We then host Cambridge the following week for our first home game of the season on Saturday, October 11.

View the full fixture list with KO times here!

*Please note, only rounds 1-13 have had exact dates and KO times confirmed. Rounds 14 and onwards are WEEKEND OF only. 

Doncaster Knights are thrilled to announce an away pre-season fixture against United Rugby Championship (URC) side, Edinburgh Rugby, set to take place at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.

This match is scheduled for Friday, 19th September at 5:00 PM, and will form part of a double-header event hosted by the Scottish club (Edinburgh will field a second team to face Ealing Trailfinders at 8pm). It promises to be a thrilling encounter and a valuable test for the Knights as we gear up for the 2025/26 season.

Facing a high-calibre opponent like Edinburgh Rugby presents a fantastic opportunity for our squad to measure themselves against top-tier competition and continue building momentum ahead of the new campaign. The fixture will also offer supporters a chance to see new signings, fresh talent, and familiar faces in action as the team continues to build. 

Stay tuned for further updates on Doncaster Knights pre-season preparations over the coming months. 

Tickets will be available through our hosts should any Doncaster fans wish to cross the boarder with us. 

Doncaster Knights Raise Over £5,700 for Charity During 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Doncaster Knights are proud to announce that a total of £5,781 has been raised for charity as part of the club’s 150th Anniversary celebrations – a milestone year marked not only by sporting pride but also by the community spirit of our supporters.

£3,000 of the funds raised will be donated to the RFU Injured Players Foundation, a vital organisation that supports rugby players who have suffered catastrophic injuries while playing the game. The remaining £2,781 will be donated to the Doncaster Knights Foundation, contributing to delivery of grassroots rugby sessions and helping us engage with young people across the local area to promote the game and a healthy lifestyle. 

To commemorate this charitable achievement, the club will be inviting representatives from the RFU Injured Players Foundation to attend an upcoming home fixture in the new season. This special occasion will serve as an opportunity to present the cheque in person and to recognise the invaluable work they do for the rugby community.

The funds were raised through a range of celebratory events and generous contributions from our fans, sponsors, and partners throughout the anniversary year. From silent auctions to buying match worn shirts, the 150th Anniversary has been a fitting tribute to the club’s history – and a reminder of the impact sport can have beyond the pitch.

We extend a big thank you to everyone who donated or supported our fundraising efforts. We look forward to another season of supporting charities that are important to the club. 

The Knights Foundation is excited to be bringing another Knights Rugby Camp to the Home of the Knights, Castle Park during the upcoming Summer Holidays.

These rugby camps will take on a familiar format to the traditional Knights camps and will bring together a perfect blend of experience and knowledge to focus on the key elements of rugby in a fun and safe environment.

Additionally, there will be numerous team building, resilience, friendship building and enrichment segments across all days, delivered through a variety of fun games and activities.

Former Knight, Kendo will be leading the programme alongside the community coaching team.

Week 1 – Monday 28th – Thursday 31st July

Week 2 – Monday 4th – Thursday 7th August

Week 3 – Monday 11th – 14th August

Week 4 – Monday 18th – 21st August

Times: 10am – 3pm Daily

Ages: 8 – 14 Years old

Lunch/Refreshments: Lunch is provided but you are more than welcome to provide your own lunch and snacks if you prefer. Please supply them with a refillable water bottle.

Cost: FREE to children and families in receipt of free school meals or special educational needs. We also have a limited amount of places you can pay for those children not on free school meals, these are chargable at £12 per day.

How many places do we have: We have limited places available at each camp so please book ASAP for the best chance to secure your child’s place – Please complete a form for each child you want to book on.

BOOK HERE

What next?: You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your child’s place. Please contact Doncaster Knights Foundation immediately if you decide your child will no longer be attending.

If you require any further information about our camps, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01302 831 388

Castle Park, the home of Doncaster Knights, has installed 200 solar panels in a step to become a more eco-friendly and energy efficient club. 

The solar panels, that sit on top of the De Mulder Lloyd stand, can produce up to 130k/w of electricity, helping the club to manage it’s energy usage and maximise efficiency. 

The club would like to extend a big thank you to club partner, Harbon Electrical Services for all their hard work on the installation and setup. 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce the signing of second row, Morgan Jones from Scarlets Rugby. 

The 26-year-old was born in Nuneaton and raised in Leicestershire, where he started his Rugby career, playing in the Leicester Tigers academy until he was 18. After departing the club, he began his journey into Welsh rugby and joined the Scarlets Academy in 2017.

The 6ft7 lock qualifies for Wales through his Llanelli-born Grandfather and has earned caps for both Wales U18s and U20s. 

Jones signed his first professional contract with Scarlets in 2020 and made his debut against Benetton in Pro14. Over the past few seasons, he built up a total of 65 appearances for the URC team, and brings great experience into the Doncaster Knights Squad. 

Head Coach Darren Fearn said: 

“We are delighted Morgan will be joining us this season. Morgs is athletic, skilful and enjoys the battle of the set piece. From watching him and from discussions it’s clear he is a competitor, ambitious and wants to take his game forward. All of the above certainly fits what our crew is about.”

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“We are really pleased that Morgan has chosen to sign with us. There aren’t many 2nd rows at 6ft 7 around, so there was some competition for his signature and we’re really looking forward to seeing him in a Knights shirt. We know Morgan is excited to be joining an ambitious club & group and we’re hoping the extra size he brings with him will continue to elevate our forward crew.”

 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to share that Hooker, Fred Davies has re-signed for next season. 

Davies has been a big impact to the team this season having bought an experienced background to the club. He started his Rugby Career at 17 with Northampton Saints academy for a two-year period. 

Davies then spent a year at Cambridge RFC in 2017 before moving to Australia for a season with Shute Shield side, Eastern Suburbs District in Sydney. 

At the age of 20, Fred decided to turn his focus to his academia at the established rugby university, Durham. He captained the side to a BUCS Super Rugby title win in the 2021/22 season, while also picking up the Player of the Year award. He is also the record try scorer for the league, scoring 39 in 53 apps. After the end of his university year, he was chosen to captain the England Students team in their fixtures.

After leaving university, he signed his first professional contract with Bristol Bears, making 15 appearances and scoring 4 tries. He carried on his captaining duties when he was chosen to lead the Bears out in the Premiership Cup against Exeter in September 2023.

This season, while being with the Knights, Davies has continued to add to his impressive CV. He was selected to represent the Barbarians in two different fixtures across May. Not only did Davies represent the iconic touring team, he also was given the honour of being captain during his second appearance.

The barbarians helped celebrate two historic moments in May with back-to-back fixtures against Durham University RFC and Glasgow Acadmicals RFC. The historic touring club entertained 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. Winning both games, Durham University 31-55 Barbarians, Glasgow Academicals 31-78 Barbarians. 

Fred’s experienced skill and leadership qualities have been vital to the Knights this season, and we are delighted he has decided to stay. 

Head of Recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“We’re really pleased that Fred has re-signed for this next season. We are very lucky to have three very good hookers at the club, and all three bring different qualities which makes competition high. To add Fred’s qualities to the two hookers we have in the squad is brilliant for the club going into next season.”

Head Coach Darren Fearn said:

“It’s great Fred is staying, he understands where we are taking our game and will be a big part of it moving forward. He is a popular member of the squad. I know the impact he can have and we are excited to see that impact.”

Our Head of Analysis and Recruitment, Matt Harland is taking part in a cycling challenge to raise money for Cancer Research and Andrew Hirst.

Matt will be taking on the Cycle 300 Challenge, where he will look to ride 300 miles throughout the month of July. 

Andrew Hirst is a parent from the football team Matt coaches and earlier this year, was sadly diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He is raising money so he can access lifesaving immunotherapy and hyperthermy treatment that could give him precious time with his family. To read more on Andrew’s story, read here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/536hk-help-andrew-fight-brain-cancer

Any donations to support Matt on his challenge would be massively appreciated. 

Donate to Andrew Hirst: https://gofund.me/24c9d0b2

Donate to Matt’s Cancer Research page: matts-giving-page-4728

Scottish Scrum Half, Ben White has been called up into the British and Irish Lions squad following the injury of Welsh scrum half, Tomos Williams.

Ben White joined the Knights on loan in 2016 while part of the Leicester Tigers setup. White became the youngest ever Knight, earning his first cap at just 17 years old.

He went on to make 11 appearances for us across the season and scoring 30 points, before returning to his parent club the following season.

He is now at the top of his game, claiming the number 9 shirt regularly for Scotland, and having just competed in the TOP 14 semi final for his club, Toulon.

Doncaster Knights are proud to have played a part in his journey and wish him all the very best for his time on tour in Australia!

Congratulations Ben.

Our Junior Touch Rugby is back in full swing and this evening we will be joined by Knights Player, Ben Murphy!

The session is free to attend and takes place at Castle Park between 6 and 7pm.

These junior touch sessions will continue every Wednesday until further notice, what better way to keep the children entertained over the summer!

The club would like to extend a huge thank you to Jamie Rosser for 20+ years of service as Donny the Knight!

Thank you for all your support, positivity and enthusiasm throughout your time with the club.

We are now looking for a new mascot for the upcoming season, if you or anyone you know would be interested in this, please contact [email protected]