Doncaster Knights are delighted to confirm that club captain Ben Murphy will remain with the club for the upcoming season.

Murphy has been an integral member of the squad over the past four seasons, consistently leading by example and giving 100% in every aspect of his game.

A player capable of turning the tide at crucial moments, Murphy has a proven ability to get his side out of trouble, whether through a lineout steal, a jackal, or stripping the ball in contact. Time and again, the Knights can rely on ‘Murph’ to shift momentum when it matters most.

His influence extends far beyond the pitch. A true leader, Murphy plays a vital role off the field as well, supporting not only his teammates but also the wider club, including staff and supporters.

Currently sitting on 90 caps, Murphy is set to reach the milestone of 100 appearances next season. Speaking about his decision to re-sign and the club’s direction, he said:

“This season hasn’t gone the way we hoped, but I still believe deeply in this club. I am always proud to represent the Doncaster badge and I’m determined to help drive us back to where we belong.”

Head Coach Darren Fearn added:

“Murph is a big part of the squad we’re building. His leadership and what he brings day to day are key for us moving forward. As a player, I believe he’s one of the best line out operators in the Champ, we saw that first hand on Friday. We are really happy Murph will be with the club next season.”

Yorkshire Academy are set to take the stage at Castle Park again this month. With three back to back games against Premiership Academy, Northampton Saints. 

Saturday 25th April 

U16s (Pitch 1)

Game 1 – 12:30PM Kick Off

Game 2 – 1:45PM Kick Off 

U17s (Pitch 1) 

3:30PM Kick Off

Free entry

Support the future of Yorkshire rugby and fill the void as Doncaster Knights have a weekend off. 

Doncaster put in a strong defensive first half before opening the floodgates with a brilliant attacking display in the second, securing a five-point win over Richmond.

Jordan Olowofela crossed the try line first after Morgan Bunting produced a superb offload in the tackle to create space for the winger. Olowofela showed great pace to finish, and Dolly added the extras to make it 7–0.

Doncaster then worked hard to keep Richmond at bay, with several key moments helping the Knights maintain possession. The forwards impressed, holding up the tackler to win a penalty. Soon after, when Richmond threatened again, Rhys Tait turned the ball over at the breakdown.

The visitors managed just one try in the first half, as their forwards found a gap to drive over. The successful conversion levelled the scores, and a penalty soon after gave Richmond a 10–7 lead heading into half-time.

The Knights began the second half with intent, striking early through a superb try from Josh Bainbridge. Bunting sold a brilliant dummy before attacking the space, drawing in the final defender and slipping the ball inside to Bainbridge, who dived over. Dolly converted once again to make it 14–10.

Rokoduguni was next to cross for Doncaster. After a well-executed lineout, the forwards came close but were held up just short. Quick ball movement followed, with Margetts sending a long pass to Veainu, who carried into contact before offloading to Rokoduguni to finish. 19–10.

Centurion Connor Edwards then secured the bonus point on his 100th appearance for the Knights. Dolly’s quick thinking sparked the move, taking a quick tap penalty before firing a long pass to Edwards. The centre hit the ball at pace, powering through the Richmond defence from around 30 metres out. Dolly added the conversion to extend the lead to 26–10.

Doncaster’s forwards continued to dominate, winning a scrum penalty to gain entry into the 22. A few phases later, Bunting provided another assist with a long pass out to Rokoduguni, who crossed for his second try. 31–10.

The Knights rounded off the match with another strong defensive effort, turning the ball over at the breakdown as Richmond pressed on the line.

Full-time: Doncaster Knights 31–10 Richmond.

The Knights now turn their attention to the second home game in a row, with Saturday rugby returning to Castle Park. Secure your tickets here!

Connor Edwards is preparing to make his 100th appearance for Doncaster Knights this Friday night, marking a major milestone in a journey he admits has turned the club into his “home”.

“It is massive, both for me and my family,” Edwards said. “It’s a club that means a lot to me, it’s under my skin now. After originally coming here for a nine-game loan and 90 games later I’m still here.

“When I look back on my career, this will be one of the places I class as my home club.”

The milestone reflects not only longevity, but growth, with Edwards highlighting how his game has developed since his time at Castle Park.

“I think I’ve actually learned a lot from coming here. Technically I think I’m a better player, with the passing side of the game and the skillset sort of thing.”

Looking back on his favourite moments in a Knights shirt, Edwards pointed to last season’s double over Ealing Trailfinders as a defining period.

“Probably Ealing home and away last year,” he said. “They weren’t perfect games, but they probably showed the togetherness of this group, to get those victories that we did.”

Over the course of his century of appearances, Edwards has built strong relationships within the squad:

“I hate to say it, but Dolly is a big one,” Edwards added. “He’s one of my best mates now. When I first joined, I didn’t particularly like him and I don’t think he particularly liked me, but he’s really, really grown on me.

“We’re really good mates now, so yeah, definitely one of the people I’ll stay in touch with when I move on.”

Reaching the landmark at home makes the occasion even more special for the back.

“It’s massive. Like I said earlier, this is probably my home club now and when I look back on my career, it’s going to be something that I’m proud of.

“I know I’ve not quite got the Yorkshire accent yet, but I feel like this is a home now. So to do it in front of our home supporters is massive.”

Attention will quickly turn to Friday night’s opponents Richmond Rugby, with Edwards expecting a fierce challenge from a side battling at the wrong end of the table.

“We know they’re in a relegation battle. They’re going to scrap for everything,” he said. “So it’s massive for us that we match their intensity and take it up another level.

“We’re expecting a good game and hopefully we can turn the results around and start building ready for the boys who are going to stay here next year.”

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to face Richmond under the lights at Castle Park.

Logovi’i Mulipola returns to the starting XV, joining hooker Ben Chapman and tighthead Cole Keith in the front row. Conor Davidson is back in the matchday squad as a replacement, alongside tighthead Lewis Thiede and hooker Fred Davies.

The second row remains unchanged once again, with Adam Hopkinson and Ben Murphy continuing their partnership in the engine room. Rhys Tait comes back into the starting back row, linking up with fellow flanker Josh Bainbridge and number eight Viliamu East Timor. Ehize Ehizode and Jasper McGuire provide additional forward cover from the bench.

There are two changes at half-back, with Alex Dolly returning to start at scrum-half and Morgan Bunting coming in at fly-half. Connor Edwards starts at inside centre and is set to make his 100th appearance for Doncaster Knights. He is joined in midfield by Zach Kerr.

Out wide, Jordan Olowofela and Semesa Rokoduguni are named on the wings, with Telusa Veainu selected at full-back.

Ollie Fox and Russell Bennett are included among the replacements, alongside Joe Margetts as the reserve backs.

You can grab tickets now to this exciting Friday night battle! 

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola,  2. Ben Chapman, 3. Cole Keith, 4. Adam Hopkinson, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Rhys Tait 7. Josh Bainbridge, 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Alex Dolly, 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Connor Edwards 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Telusa Veainu.

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Ehize Ehizode, 20. Jasper McGuire, 21. Ollie Fox 22. Russell Bennett, 23. Joe Margetts. 

Unavailable for selection: Josh Williams, Thom Smith, Ryan Olowofela 

Unavailable loan players: Patreece Bell, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont

Due to the requirements of the audit to enter the Gallagher PREM, further to winning the Champ and the subsequent two-legged play-off against the club which finishes bottom of the PREM, Doncaster Knights (DRFC) will not now be proceeding with their application for season 2026/27.

As in the previous three years, the Knights have passed the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC), but the Finance Monitoring Requirements for promotion set by the Men’s Professional Rugby Board (PRB) requires a commitment to significant expenditure to enter the Gallagher PREM.

With a new hybrid squad structure to operate in the Champ for next season, Doncaster Knights cannot commit to the required spending requirements at this juncture.

Going forward, however, the Knights will be well positioned to take an interest in the expanded league at the top of the English professional game and will continue to positively engage with PREM Rugby, RFU and Champ Rugby to achieve the club’s ambitions.

A Yorkshire team making such a move could be achievable with significant third-party investment creating a structure to represent the whole of the biggest county in England containing the most rugby clubs.

‘Do it for Yorkshire’ would be a great aspiration and bring further life to the new development ideals of PREM rugby and RFU by making the professional game available to all areas of England. The Knights would be proud to carry that banner.

ENDS

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to face Ampthill on the road.

Andrew Turner returns to the starting line-up, joining Cole Keith in the front row, while Ben Chapman retains the starting hooker shirt. The second row remains unchanged, with Adam Hopkinson partnering captain Ben Murphy.

The back row is also unchanged, with Jasper McGuire and Josh Bainbridge on the flanks, and East Timor Viliamu at number eight.

The replacement front row features props Logovi’i Mulipola and Lewis Thiede, alongside hooker Fred Davies. Rhys Tait, Morgan Jones and Ehize Ehizode complete the forward replacements.

Ollie Fox keeps the starting shirt at scrum-half, with Russell Bennett continuing as his half-back partner. Alex Dolly is named as the replacement scrum-half.

Semesa Rokoduguni starts in the centres, with Zach Kerr shifting to inside centre. Joe Margetts is named on the bench.

Jordan Olowofela comes into the starting line-up following a successful return from injury last weekend. Aidan Cross takes the other wing, with Telusa Veainu at full-back.

SQUAD: 1. Andrew Turner,  2. Ben Chapman, 3. Cole Keith, 4. Adam Hopkinson, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Jasper McGuire 7. Josh Bainbridge, 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Ollie Fox, 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Zach Kerr 13. Semesa Rokoduguni, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Telusa Veainu.

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Logovi’i Mulipola, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Morgan Jones, 20. Rhys Tait, 21. Ehize Ehizode 22. Alex Dolly, 23. Joe Margetts. 

Unavailable for selection: Josh Williams, Thom Smith, Connor Edwards, Ryan Olowofela 

Unavailable loan players: Patreece Bell, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont

Doncaster Knights returned to winning ways at Castle Park with a hard-fought 35–22 victory against Hartpury.

The Knights crossed the try line in the very first minute. Receiving the kick-off, Kerr made a break out wide and offloaded to McNab, who carried strongly up the wing before feeding Edwards on the inside. The centre ran in untouched from there. Bennett added the extras to make it 7–0.

Hartpury responded by building possession and applying pressure, but Doncaster’s defence held firm. The visitors opted for three points, with Bazalgette slotting the penalty to reduce the deficit to 7–3.

The Knights were soon back defending their own line, holding out for a sustained five-minute period with some huge hits. Eventually, Hartpury’s number eight, Tom Worts, showed his strength to power over, and the conversion put them ahead at 7–10.

Hartpury added another in similar fashion after extended pressure near the line, with Harry Short driving over under the posts. The simple conversion stretched the lead to 7–17.

Doncaster continued to push and worked their way into the opposition 22. A driving maul on the line was illegally collapsed by Hartpury, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card, reducing the visitors to 14 men. The score moved to 14–17.

The Knights carried that momentum straight from the restart, returning to the Hartpury line. Ben Chapman powered over to give Doncaster the lead just before half-time. Bennett’s conversion made it 21–17 at the break.

Doncaster started the second half positively with an excellent team try. Viliami Taulani picked from the scrum and moved the ball through the backs. Jasper McGuire carried strongly before offloading to Bennett, who quickly found Aidan Cross. The winger cut in off his flank, hit a perfect line at pace, and powered through to score. Bennett added the extras once again, extending the lead to 28–17.

The remainder of the game saw Doncaster largely on the defensive, showing real determination to hold firm. Key lineout steals from Josh Bainbridge and Ben Murphy helped keep Hartpury at bay.

However, with Jasper McGuire in the sin bin, Hartpury eventually capitalised on the overlap. Former Knight Robbie Smith finished well out wide to close the gap to 28–22.

Hartpury threatened again, but Jordan Olowofela reacted quickest to a loose ball, hacking it downfield before regathering inside the 22. With support arriving, the Knights shifted the ball quickly across the pitch, and with the clock in the red, Cross crossed for his second try of the evening.

Bennett converted the final kick to maintain his 100% record from the tee, sealing a 35–22 victory.

The Knights travel to Ampthill next weekend before returning to Castle Park in a fortnight for another Friday night clash.

Secure your tickets now and support the Knights during the final push of the season, 

 

 

 

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named the following team to face Hartpury in a Friday night clash at Castle Park.

In the front row, Logovi’i Mulipola comes into the starting line-up to join tighthead Cole Keith. After scoring off the bench last week, Ben Chapman returns to the starting hooker spot, with Fred Davies named among the replacements. The replacement props are loosehead Drew Turner and tighthead Lewis Thiede.

The second row remains unchanged, with Adam Hopkinson and captain Ben Murphy. In the back row, Jasper McGuire returns to the starting line-up alongside Josh Bainbridge and Viliamu East Timor. Morgan Jones and Rhys Tait are the remaining replacement forwards.

Ollie Fox gets the start at scrum-half this week, with Russell Bennett shifting back to fly-half following the return of Telusa Veainu at full-back. Connor Edwards keeps the 12 shirt, while Zach Kerr finally returns at outside centre. Joe Margetts is named on the bench. Aidan Cross and Matt McNab take up the wings, with Jordan Olowofela set to make his return from injury off the bench.

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola,  2. Ben Chapman, 3. Cole Keith, 4. Adam Hopkinson, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Jasper McGuire 7. Josh Bainbridge, 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Ollie Fox, 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Aidan Cross, 12. Connor Edwards 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Matt McNab, 15. Telusa Veainu.

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Morgan Jones, 20. Rhys Tait, 21. Alex Dolly, 22. Joe Margetts, 23. J Olowofela. 

Unavailable for selection: Josh Williams, Thom Smith, Semesa Rokoduguni, Ryan Olowofela

Unavailable loan players: Patreece Bell, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont

GET TICKETS FOR THIS GAME HERE

Doncaster Knights Events are hiring an Events Executive at Castle Park.

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving the growth of Doncaster Knights’ events and hospitality business. Based at Castle Park Stadium, the role will focus on generating new business & securing profitable business from inbound enquiries for conferences, corporate events, private functions, proms, weddings, etc while supporting the marketing and promotion of the venue and events programme.

This person will be highly proactive and lead the sales journey from initial enquiry and/or outreach through to event delivery support and post-event follow-up, ensuring an exceptional client experience and identifying opportunities for repeat business.

Job Title – Events Executive including Sales & Marketing
Location – Doncaster, South Yorkshire – Castle Park Stadium
Start Date – ASAP
Salary Range – £28,000 – £32,000
Type of Work – Office-based with event attendance and occasional evening/weekend work

Read the full job description here: Events Sales & Marketing Executive

To Apply: Please email Tracey Owen, [email protected] with a CV and covering letter by Friday 10^th April.

The hosts opened the scoring early with a penalty that gave them entry into the 22. After multiple phases of strong carries, the forwards eventually drove over the line, and the successful conversion handed Coventry a 7–0 lead.

The Knights responded by winning a scrum penalty to return to attack. Sustained pressure eventually paid off when a quick pass to Rhys Tait allowed him to power over for Doncaster’s first try, narrowing the score to 7–5.

Allan Ferrie then struck twice in quick succession. The first came after a powerful break through the middle by Nayalo, who created space for Ferrie to run in unopposed. Ferrie soon added a second with a strong drive over the line, extending Coventry’s lead to 19–5.

The Knights enjoyed a period of possession and showed promising attacking intent, but were unable to convert pressure into points, with Coventry’s resolute defence and a number of individual errors proving costly.Coventry added another try before the break after a scrum penalty gave them field position in the 22, finishing with another powerful carry.

Half-time: 24–5.

Doncaster started the second half brightly, with Bunting producing an excellent penalty kick to touch to set up an attacking lineout five metres out. The forwards executed well, and Ben Chapman drove over for the try, with Bennett adding the extras to make it 24–12.

After winning the aerial contest, Coventry regained possession and moved the ball effectively before Johnson crossed the line, extending the lead to 29–12.

The Knights remained in the contest, working their way back upfield through strong forward carries. Jasper McGuire finished the move, powering over in the corner to bring the score to 34–17.

Coventry responded with two more tries. The first came from Morgan Adderly-Jones, who picked from the base of the ruck and dove over. The second followed a quick counter-attack, as Coventry capitalised on a loose ball and broke into space. Bunting looked set to make the cover tackle but was unfortunate to slip, allowing the hosts to run the length and stretch the lead to 41–17.

Doncaster had the final say, earning a losing bonus point with a late try. Russell Bennett reacted quickest to an overthrown lineout, gathering the loose ball and offloading to Connor Edwards, who powered through contact to score. Bennett added the conversion.

Full-time: 44–24.

The Knights return to home action next week as they face Hartpury RFC on Friday night. Secure your tickets now and get behind the Knights as they look to finish the season on a high.