1 change within the starting XV for the Doncaster Knights as they face Bedford Blues in Round 20 of Championship Rugby this weekend.
The change comes within the backs as George Simpson comes in at #14 for Jack Metcalf.
Ethan Caine comes in on the bench, on loan from Sale Sharks to cover injury within the forward pack.
The last time both teams met at Goldington Road saw Bedford take the victory with a score of 48-25. This 23/24 season saw the Blues make the journey to Castle Park, where the Knights, through a hard fought battle, took a 26-20 win on home turf. It’s been 7 years since the Knights got the away win at Goldington Road, so the challenge has been set for this weekend.
It’s 4th Vs 5th with 4 points in it, the race for a strong table finish is underway.
You can purchase your match-day tickets for the Knights last game of the season (Saturday May 11th, 2:30pm Kick Off) Vs. Ealing Trailfinders here at drfc.co.uk/tickets
It is with great sadness that we have been informed that Steve Newson has passed away after a long illness.
Steve played on the wing in the 1970s before he went to work in Australia, when he returned, he spent time as the club safety officer. He is a holder of a chain gang awards tie for is efforts.
Our thoughts go out to his wife Jan and family at this sad time.
Doncaster Knights Back rower Fyn Brown makes the move to Cinch Stadium with Northampton Saints for the 2024/25 Season from Castle Park.
Fynlay (Fyn) came to the Doncaster Knights at the start of the 2023/24 Season having joined Championship opposition Ampthill from dismantled Premiership side, Wasps.
The young forward is joining Northampton Saints for his second stint in the Premiership, after spending 2 seasons with London Wasps back in 2021, before coming into the Championship.
Having made a total of 19 appearances in all competitive matches for the Knights, Fyn Brown has been a key asset within the forward pack, scoring a total of 10 points, coming from 2 away tries.
Speaking with Head Coach, Joe Ford on Fyn’s move to the Premiership…
“It’s a great move for Fyn, all his hard work has paid off and his dedication to rugby is very high. He puts a lot into it, and he fully deserves the opportunity to go and play for one of the best teams in the Premiership. It’s a great sign that were doing things right at the Club when players are progressing to the next level, it’s what we want and its brilliant to see the development in these young players. Massive credit to the staff, the physio’s, Tom, Alice, and Strength & Conditioning coaches Adam & Ed for putting the work into him getting him right, to perform at his best each weekend, which, has clearly paid off.”
“A massive thank you goes to the coaches, support staff, players, and the supporters here at Doncaster Knights for making this an enjoyable year. I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to come back into full time rugby and I have loved playing here this season. I wish the club all the best for the future.” – Fyn Brown
Fyn joins fellow 2023/24 Knight, Tom Doughty in the Premiership for the upcoming 2024/25 Season.
The Knights take on hosts Ampthill RFC in Round 19 of the RFU Championship on Saturday 20th April at Dillingham Park
Just 1 change within the starting XV for the Doncaster Knights in Round 19 as Maliq Holden comes back from a 1 Match suspension and replaces George Simpson at 11.
Ethan Caine comes in on the bench, on loan from Sale Sharks to cover injury within the forward pack.
The last time both teams met at Dillingham Park was back in the 22/23 season, where Ampthill took it to the Knights with a 31-12 home win. Earlier in this 23/24 season, The Knights hosted the Mob at Castle Park, which saw a similar result in Ampthill taking an away win. The Knights have something big to prove this weekend with table positions 5th Vs 6th battling it out for a top three finish.
You can purchase your match-day tickets for the Knights last game of the season (Saturday May 11th, 2:30pm Kick Off) Vs. Ealing Trailfinders here at drfc.co.uk/tickets
Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce that Darren Fearn has been appointed as the Knights Forwards Coach for the 2024/25 season.
Fearn, has a wealth of coaching knowledge and a track record of developing talent. Fearn played professional rugby for several years for the likes of Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and fellow Championship side Bedford Blues as a Loosehead Prop, he makes the trip to Yorkshire side Doncaster Knights from his current role as DoR at Newcastle University and England Students Head Coach.
Speaking with Darren, we asked what attracted him to the Knights for the upcoming season…
“It’s a great opportunity, the people involved, their rugby philosophy and what they’re about as a crew is exciting. As as a coach who is aspirational and constantly wants to get better this seems the right place for me. I’m born and bred in Yorkshire, I’ve moved around a little bit because of my career but always seem to end back up north, I know how much the Yorkshire region values rugby and what talent we have in the region. Doncaster is the highest ranked team in Yorkshire which means something to me, and I feel a responsibility to give my all to add value where I can.”
Fearn further outlines his excitement by shining light onto future Knights plans in alignment to his own worth ethic,
“There’s loads of opportunity in the pack, we’ve got good players with us, and we’ve got good players potentially coming in, that excites me. Its rugby right, so big picture you need an edge about you, you need to be physical, and you need a set piece. As coaches, we want all this, but we need to help players understand the game, make decisions and execute under pressure, I feel that I can add value to players and the club”.
Darren joins Joe Fords’ coaching team here at Doncaster Knights ready in preparation for the 2024/25 season.
Doncaster’s 10th Championship win, in which they earned a bonus point at Castle Park, gained revenge for their Christmas defeat on the Wirral.
First half tries by wingers Jack Metcalf and George Simpson and two conversions and a penalty from fly half Russ Bennett established a firm control on the contest which Doncaster led by 17-0 at the interval.
While scoring opportunities were wasted and their kicking game did not always produce the desired effect, the Knights’ pack played with genuine authority and laid on two more tries in the second half by centre Connor Edwards and flanker Archie Smeaton whose score towards the end was fully deserved as he delivered an outstanding display in attack and defence.
“ We were disappointed with our performance over there. It wasn’t professional and we took them for granted,” the Man of the Match said.
“ This time we were professional, we stuck at it and we put in a great defensive effort.Overall, I’m happy, but we left points out there and we were in their 22 for long periods and didn’t convert the possession.
“ But this league at the top is very competitive, so we are delighted to get five points. We’ve got Ampthill away this Saturday and that’s going to be difficult because they are in good form having beaten Ealing and Bedford recently.”
Arguably, Doncaster should have put 40 points past Caldy who were second best during the first half, and for several periods in the second strong tackling by the Knights restricted the Cheshire club to their own half when they enjoyed decent possession.
Opportunities missed included one for skipper and full back Billy McBryde who would have touched down but for a forward pass, and then centre Joe Margetts, who sprinted his way through Caldy’s defence, somehow dropped the ball when he was about to put it down.
Two more chances were also thrown away in promising attacking positions, and while Caldy broke through late in the second half, this was an encouraging display with three league games remaining against Ampthill, Bedford Blues, also away, and finally against Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders at Castle Park on the last Saturday in May.
Doncaster, who stay fifth and now have 51 points, will announce later this week the name of their new forwards’ coach and reveal some of the players who are leaving and those who have re-signed for next season.
by Guy Williams.
The Knights are back at Castle Park for Round 21 of Championship Rugby action against Ealing Trailfinders Saturday 11th May
Get your tickets right here https://www.drfc.co.uk/tickets/
The Knights take on visitors Caldy RFC in Round 18 of the RFU Championship on Sunday 14th April, 2:30pm KO, Castle Park.
4 changes in the starting 15 for Doncaster Knights since their last outing, for Round 18 of Championship Rugby Vs. Caldy RFC
One change within the forward pack as Harry Wilson comes in at 8 for Jack Digby, Ollie Fox comes in for Alex Dolly at Scrum half and with Maliq Holden receiving a 1 match suspension, Jack Metcalf comes in on the wing at 14 with George Simpson playing at 11 this week.
The last time these teams met back at the Christmas break, Caldy put in a winning performance of 24-19, which was the first win the team has taken over the Knights in any Championship Rugby campaign.
Replacements
16. Tom Doughty
17. Harrison Courtney
18. Corrie Barrett
19. Charlie Beckett
20. Ehize Ehizode
21. Rhys Tait
22. Alex Dolly
23. Joe Bedlow
Doncaster Knights are thrilled to announce an exciting new multi-year partnership with SAMURAI.
As a brand and market leader in custom rugby apparel, we take pride in our long-standing reputation and are dedicated to delivering the best in the industry, which is why we’re delighted to finally share the news of our collaboration with Doncaster Knights RFC; a club that reflects our core values and principles. We look forward to working closely with them to create a lasting partnership.
As well as creating premium kit for their championship team, SAMURAI will also supply to their amateur side Doncaster Phoenix, the women’s team Doncaster Demons and their mini and junior rugby section.
With the 2024/25 season also holding host to Doncaster Knights 150th anniversary, keep an eye out as we unveil our plans to celebrate the milestone over the coming months.
‘We are excited to welcome SAMURAI as our new technical kit partner at Doncaster Knights. SAMURAI will be working across the club, from our Mini Juniors to the first team to get the best product and service available to them. It was important to find a partner who has an excellent track record and vast experience of working in professional rugby. We’ve been through a rigorous process to ensure we get the best the market can offer and to help us maximise our performance on and off the field.
Next season is extremely exciting for us as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary and look forward to showcasing our kit launches for the 2024-25 season.’
Tom Foy, Head of Commercial, Doncaster Knights
‘We are delighted to be partnering with Doncaster Knights, a dynamic and well-established club that is only going from strength to strength. We endeavour to Push Forward together towards many future successes and a lasting partnership throughout 2024 and beyond.’
Stefano Schivo, CEO SAMURAI
Established in 1875 as Doncaster Rugby Football Club, the club has a rich and impressive heritage in the rugby union; boasting the most promoted team in English rugby history – a total of 8 promotions in 15 seasons. Rebranded for the 2006-2007 season as Doncaster Knights, the club now resides at their home ground Castle Park Stadium in Doncaster.
Welcome to the Haka Rugby Global Elite Camp 2024
We aim to use ‘Maori culture & Rugby as a tool to develop future world leaders…’
This July, Castle Park hosts the Haka Rugby Camp, which is a 3 day camp aimed at 8 to 16 year old boys and girls, that want to develop their rugby abilities but also hone in on their own confidence and social skills too.
These camps are run by Troy Nathan and Regan Sue, and along with a host of other well-known rugby professionals, will bring their wealth of experience to the rugby camp to ensure that the kids get the best exposure to top quality coaching.
Our coaches have played at the highest level the game has to offer, but we have also all enjoyed the game as kids and we know that rugby is much more than just the game out there on the pitch. That is why we have created a rugby camp that will give the campers an insight into everything the game entails. From nutrition workshops and pool recovery sessions to team building activities, the campers will get a true insight in to the amazing game of rugby!
Join us at Castle Park on
Monday 22nd July, Tuesday 23rd July & Wednesday 24th July
10am to 3pm
£120 for the total 3 days, includes HRG Training t-shirt & shorts Click here to book
The ballot for international tickets at Twickenham this autumn is now open.
The deadline for securing tickets for the England Autumn Nation Series is the April 14th 2024
Current DRFC members (those who have been season ticket holders for a minimum of 3 years) who wish to apply for tickets to England’s home games at Twickenham in November please complete our online form HERE.
