Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their team to face Hartpury in round 9 of the CHAMP.

The starting props remain unchanged with Joe Jones at tighthead and Logovi’i Mulipola at loosehead. We swap the starting hooker as Fred Davies gets the number 2 shirt, with George Roberts slotting onto the bench. Conor Davidson and Lewis Thiede are the replacement props. 

Captain Ben Murphy shifts back into the second row, pairing up with Ehize Ehizode. In the back row, Josh Bainbridge gets his first start since injury, and Rhys Tait remains our 7. Jasper McGuire keeps the number eight shirt again. 

The remaining forwards on the bench consist of East Timor Viliamu, Ben Chapman and Adam Hopkinson. 

Morgan Bunting comes into the starting line up to join Ollie Fox as our half backs. With Semesa Rokoduguni returning from injury to slot into the centres with Zach Kerr. 

Telusa Veainu also returns from injury to play full back, with our wingers unchanged, Aidan Cross and Matt McNab. 

New player Cameron Kelemeti is listed on the bench, alongside Ryan Olowofela, who is also on his return from injury.

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola 2. Fred Davies, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Josh Bainbridge 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Jasper McGuire, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Matt McNab, 12. Zach Kerr 13. Semesa Rokoduguni, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Telusa Veainu

REPLACEMENTS: 16. George Roberts, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. East Timor Viliamu 20. Ben Chapman, 21. Adam Hopkinson, 22. Cameron Kelemeti, 23. Ryan Olowofela.  

Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Andrew Turner, Josh Williams, Connor Edwards, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont, Russell Bennett, Joe Margetts, Jordan Olowofela 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to share that Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti has joined the club as injury cover on a short term contract. The Fijian player’s main position is scrum half, however he can also cover fly half.

The 26-year-old brings with him a great deal of experience across multiple levels of the game, having previously played for Championship club Jersey Reds and Premiership club Newcastle Red Bulls (previously falcons).

More recently Kelemeti has been playing his rugby in America for the New England Free Jacks where he became a two-time MLR Champion. 

Cameron has been training with the team this week and is available for selection immediately.

Doncaster Knights are pleased to announce the appointment of Jacob Ford as the club’s new Attack Coach, joining the senior coaching team with immediate effect.

Ford arrives at Castle Park with a strong reputation for developing dynamic, high-tempo, and attack-minded teams. His experience spans senior club rugby, performance programmes, schools rugby, and national talent pathways, bringing a well-rounded and progressive coaching skill set to the Knights.

Ford completes his move to Doncaster following four influential seasons as Director of Rugby at Bury St Edmunds, where he oversaw significant growth across the club. Under his leadership, the Men’s 1st XV achieved their highest-ever National League finish and developed a distinctive fast-flowing, high-scoring style of play. His work also had a lasting impact across the wider club structure, helping raise performance standards both on and off the field.

Prior to his time at Bury, Ford served as Director of Rugby at Westcliff RFC between 2019 and 2021, guiding the club through National League competition and supporting long-term development. He also spent the 2018/19 season as a Performance Rugby Coach at Loughborough University, contributing to one of the UK’s leading high-performance sporting environments.

His background includes five years as Head of Rugby at Ipswich School, where he led a successful rugby programme within one of the region’s strongest sporting schools. Most recently, Ford has been part of Scottish Rugby’s National Talent Pathway, supporting the identification and development of emerging players within the national system. 

Ford is a name we are familiar with here at the Knights as his brother and former head coach, Joe Ford recently left the club for an exciting opportunity at Sale Sharks. Meaning Jacob too comes from a well-known rugby family, with deep roots in the sport. This background has helped shape his understanding of high-performance environments and modern attacking rugby. 

Director of Rugby Sir Ian McGeechan said: “We are delighted to welcome Jacob to the Knights. He knows our Head Coach, Darren Fearn very well after being with him on the RFU Coach Development  programmes and with the link via Joe, he understands and shares our club coaching and playing philosophy which has been evolving over the last 12 months.”

“We would like to thank Glasgow Rugby and the SRU for supporting this opportunity for Jacob to continue his development at the Knights. He is an outstanding asset for the club to secure.” 

Ford’s appointment strengthens the Knights’ coaching group and aligns with the club’s ambition to play an exciting brand of rugby. The club looks forward to the impact Ford will make as we enter the next block of the 25/26 season. 

Doncaster Knights end their losing streak with an outstanding late winner at Castle Park to defeat Coventry 24-21. 

The Knights were out the blocks early on as a Coventry penalty allowed Bennett to kick the Knights into the 5m line. A perfectly executed line out allowed George Roberts to break away from the maul and run in the first try of the game. Bennett added the extras 0-7 up. 

Bennett extend the lead again with a nice solo try. He spotted a gap in Coventry’s defence and put the burners on to speed through, scoring under the posts from about 20m out. He added the extras to his own score, giving Donny a 14-0 lead. 

Coventry then found their feet to fight back as ex-Knight Morgan Strong powered his way over the line from the driving maul. They added the conversion before scoring a second try in quick succession. A dominant Coventry scrum meant they could move the ball out wide to Opouku-Fordjour who had plenty of space to go over. Another conversion meant Coventry had levelled the scores ahead of the break. 

Half time score 14-14. 

Bennett added some more points onto the board early into the second half as Coventry are penalised and we kick the three. 17-14. 

The Knights then spent the next ten minutes in defence, they managed to hold Coventry out for a while, with a particularly impressive try saving tackle from Rhys Tait. Eventually, Coventry find away through on the 50 minute mark as a strong rolling maul allows hooker Jordan Poole over the line. They added the extras 17-21. 

The remainder of the game was a gritty and physical battle, with the heavy rain causing lots of errors from both side. But the Knights continued to graft, keeping Coventry from scoring on a handful of occasions. 

After a good scrum from the forwards, Doncaster were in a good position to attack again and Morgan Bunting whipped out a bit of magic when we needed it most. A sneaky dummy meant he could break through Coventry’s defence before popping the ball to Bennett. Bennett juggled the ball but somehow managed to keep hold, and finish the job under the posts. 

He added one final conversion to his player of the match performance, totalling up 19 points from the number 10. Full time score, 24-21. 

The Knights now turn their attention to Hartpury away next week. They return to Castle Park on December 13th for a Christmas fixture against Ampthill, secure your tickets now!

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their side to face Coventry at Castle Park on Saturday.

Logovi’i Mulipola returns from injury to start in the front row, packing down alongside tighthead Joe Jones and hooker George Roberts. In the second row, Ehize Ehizode partners Morgan Jones.

Jasper McGuire comes back in at No. 8, with Ben Murphy and Rhys Tait continuing as the unchanged flankers.

On the bench, Fred Davies provides cover at hooker, while Conor Davidson also makes his return from injury as the replacement loosehead. Lewis Thiede completes the front-row replacements.

East Timor Viliamu and Ben Chapman are also named among the replacements, joined by Josh Bainbridge, who is set to make his long-awaited return from injury in the back row.

Ollie Fox retains the No. 9 shirt, with Russell Bennett returning to start at fly half. In the centre, Joe Margetts partners Zach Kerr, while Aidan Cross and Matt McNab take up the wings. Jordan Olowofela remains at fullback.

Will Wooton and Morgan Bunting are selected as the replacement half backs.

The game kicks off at 2:30PM on Saturday 29th of November, secure your tickets now!

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Ben Murphy, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Jasper McGuire, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Matt McNab, 12. Joe Margetts 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Jordan Olowofela

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. East Timor Viliamu 20. Ben Chapman, 21. Josh Bainbridge, 22. Will Wootton, 23. Morgan Bunting.  

Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Andrew Turner, Semesa Rokoduguni, Telusa Veainu, Ryan Olowofela, Josh Williams, Connor Edwards

If you are unable to watch the game you can watch live on clubbertv.co.uk

Despite the result, the Knights didn’t make it easy for the reigning champions. The hosts were straight out the blocks looking to attack, but Doncaster held them out well for the first 5 minutes. Eventually, Ealing managed to open the scores as a well held scrum opened the space for them to whip it out to Tom Collins. 5-0. 

Donny worked hard to create chances to score, with big turnover at the breakdown from East Timor Viliamu putting the Knights on the front foot. 

The backline moved the ball out of the scrum quickly to Connor Edwards. Edwards made a superb carry up the field, bringing Donny from their own half to the 22. He shrugged off multiple defenders before offloading to a supporting Ollie Fox. Fox sped off to finish under the posts. Bunting added the extras. 5-7. 

Ealing made their way back into their attacking 22 but the Knights displayed another impressive defensive set, Rhys Tait managed to snatch the ball from the hosts during their attempt to drive the maul over. 

On Ealing’s next entry to the 22, they settled for the three points as their scrum gifted them a penalty. 8-7. 

They then had a more successful attempt at a driving maul when their hooker, Cornish, peeled away from the back to go over in the corner. They added the extras with the conversion. 15-7. 

Donny began to look bright in attack but a loose ball allowed Ealing a way back in. They snatched possession and carried up the wing before their forwards began to drive at the line. Donny held the forwards out but a long ball to the wing allowed them a way over the line. 20-7. 

With a few minutes left of the first 40, the Knights worked hard to stay in the game before half time. Joe Margetts is caught in traffic so opts for a little chip through, which he gathers brilliantly and goes the way. Bunting adds the conversion again. Half time score 20-14. 

Just 5 minutes into the second half, Doncaster are shown a yellow and Ealing carry the momentum into another try. Their forwards manage to drive another maul over to go 25-14 up. 

Ealing’s next score was an impressive solo effort from centre, Francis Moore, who weaved his way in and out of Doncaster to score. They added the extras. 32-14. Another scrum penalty goes their way and they snatch a final three points, 35-14. 

The Knights did not give up without a fight, and one final Donny try reflected their determination. Bennett plays a long ball out to Jordan Olowofela, who puts his footwork to use and skates over. Bennett also added the extras, leaving the full time score, 35-21. 

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to travel to the capital and face Ealing.

Connor Hancock, who has joined us on loan from Newcastle Red Bulls, comes into the starting line up as loosehead prop. He joins Joe Jones at tighthead and George Roberts at hooker. 

Our front row replacements are made up of Lewis Theide and Jasper McGuire, with Fred Davies the spare hooker. 

In the second row, Josh Williams returns from military duty to start with Morgan Jones. Ben Murphy remains number 6, with Rhys Tait at 7 and East Timor Villiamu our number eight. 

On the bench, Ehize Ehizode, Ben Chapman and Adam Hopkinson will cover the rest of the forwards pack. 

Morgan Bunting keeps the number 10 shirt this week, joining scrum half Ollie Fox as our half backs. Connor Edwards moves back into the squad to join Joe Margetts in the centres. 

After a strong performance last week, Aidan Cross is given the nod at 14 with Zach Kerr covering the other wing and Jordan Olowofela completing the back three at full back. 

Will Wootton remains the replacement 9 with Russell Bennet the final back on the bench. 

SQUAD: 1. Connor Hancock 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Josh Williams, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Ben Murphy, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Zach Kerr, 12. Connor Edwards 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Jordan Olowofela

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Jasper Mcguire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Ehize Ehizode 20. Ben Chapman, 21. Adam Hopkinson, 22. Will Wootton, 23. Russell Bennett.  

Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Josh Bainbridge, Andrew Turner, Semesa Rokoduguni, Conor Davidson, Telusa Veainu, Ryan Olowofela, Matt McNab, Logovi’i Mulipola 

DONCASTER KNIGHTS are defeated 21-24 in a tight battle against Chinnor at Castle Park. 

The Knights were the first team to get points on the board as Chinnor were penalised at the breakdown and Russell Bennett slotted the penalty for three points 3-3. Chinnor soon answered back with three points of their own when Doncaster were penalised for a dangerous tackle. 6-3. 

The front row, who were in good form this week, earned us penalty at the scrum which then allowed Bennett to put us back in the lead, and a second penalty followed which Bennett also, 9-3. 

It was the visitors who managed to get themselves over the try line first, with a huge carry from number 8, Gabriel Mann igniting the play. He offloaded to Jamie Campbell, who then had a clear gap to the line, they added the extras from the conversion. 9-10. 

Chinnor then snatched another score shorty after as they pounced on a loose ball and moved it quickly through the backline. Another successful conversion put them 9-17 up. 

Donny worked really had to stay in the game ahead of the half time whistle, with Joe Margetts turning the ball over at the breakdown to allow the Knights another attack. A few phases later, the forwards won 5 scrum penalties in a row, causing Chinnor to be shown a yellow card. On the final dominant scrum, Donny whip the ball out wide and a long pass from Aidan Cross gave Matt McNab the space to go over in the corner. A fantastic touchline conversion from Bennett left the half time score 16-17. 

Chinnor put some early points on the board at the start of the second half as they slotted a penalty for an extra three. 16-20. 

Jordan Olowofela chased a high ball and perfectly timed his tackle on his opposition player, this left Chinnor vulnerable at the breakdown and allowed Rhys Tait to win a penalty from the jackal. Bennett kicked Donny into the corner and the Knights attacked again. 

Morgan Bunting then showed a brilliantly bit of skill as he whipped super long pass out to Joe Margetts on the wing. Margetts dotted it down in the corner giving Donny the edge again. 

Unfortunately the Knights lead didn’t last long as a penalty at the breakdown gave them a chance to kick for another three. 21-23. 

The Knights spent the final 20 minutes with most of the possession, but Chinnor’s defence was relentless and with the clock in the red, the visitors managed to secure possession and kick the ball out, leaving the full time score 21-32. 

The Knights return to Castle Park at the end of the month to face Coventry. Saturday 29th November. – secure tickets here. 

Doncaster Knights can now confirm the latest on an injury to Prop, Drew Turner.

Drew sustained a hamstring injury during training earlier this week. Further assessment and imaging has shown a significant hamstring injury, requiring surgery. This will unfortunately rule Drew out unitl April, where he will work closely with the medical and performance team throughout this time period.

Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.