“First and foremost, Saturday is game day. As a group, we can’t lose sight of that. There’s going to be a lot of emotion at the weekend with some lads playing their last game for the club and some lads retiring from Rugby all together, but the number 1 rule is that from minute 1 to 80, we’re there mentally, to put in a performance that is and always is required in a Doncaster Shirt.
That’s the minimum requirement, for the players leaving, for the supporters, and for everyone associated with the club., we’re going to go for it in this final game and afterwards, we can enjoy each other’s company one last time as a group as the lads will no doubt be off to celebrate the end of the season.
It’s business as usual, we will go for it with all we have for one last time, chase that positive result… it’s something that we owe to ourselves.
We know from right at the start of the season, what a top team Hartpury are and some of their recent results have really shown that and so we understand what we’re coming up against.
Thank you again for all your support, not only from me and the coaching staff, but from each and every lad who puts on a Knights shirt and gives it their all, week in and week out. We will see you back at Castle Park for the 2024/25 season”.
3 changes within the starting XV for Doncaster Knights as they go into Round 22, and the final game of the 2023/24 Championship Rugby campaign against Hartpury RFC at Hartpury Stadium.
2 changes coming from within the forwards pack as Andrew Foster comes in for Lewis Thiede.
Charlie Beckett comes in at #4 for Evan Mintern, as this will be Charlies’ last professional rugby outing, as retirement knocks on the door.
Sam Olver comes in at #10, replacing last matches’ starter, Russell Bennett and 4 players come onto the bench for the final outing of the 2023/24 season, Tom Doughty, Corrie Barrett, Evan Mintern and Jack Metcalf.
The last time that both teams met was right back at the start of the 2023/24 Championship season, where Hartpury made the trip up north but faced a 20-18 loss to the Knights, under a home crowd.
The Knights’ last trip to Hartpury Stadium resulted in an away win of 16-34, and they’re looking to do the same again to finish off the season in style.
It’s a battle to finish 5th within the league, as the Knights are just 3 points ahead of Hartpury.
Fijian Powerhouse, George Wacokecoke signs for the Doncaster Knights from Premiership side, Newcastle Falcons for the 2024/25 Season.
Suva born Centre, Wacokecoke started his career playing in the Northampton Saints Academy. He quickly became a household name for the Falcons as he aided them to Premiership promotion, from the Championship back in 2019.
Speaking with new forwards coach for the 2024/25 season, Darren Fearn shares insight into George’s career,
“George came through the Saints academy and Bath signed him from there. He moved to the Northeast to study, and this is where I met him, he was a stand-out player in BUCS Super rugby, and he played for England students in 2 campaigns.
He made his premiership debut at the end of his 3rd year of University, and this is when he signed with Newcastle.
He’s been with the Falcons since they were in the Championship as a regular starter, to where he won the championship with them. George then signed a 3 year deal with the Falcons to continue his Rugby career.”
Head Coach, Joe Ford had a few words to say on Wacokecoke’s arrival…
“George is an awesome signing, he’s a player that can produce moments. He’s a player that’s tough to coach at times as he’s a very special talent and we’re very excited to get him down here to Castle Park playing week in and week out for us, it’s going to be brilliant to watch.
We’ve done very well to get him here, there was a lot of interest from France but he wanted to come and be a part of what we are building here. He’s worked with Darren Fearn (New forwards coach for the 2024/25 season), and Darren couldn’t speak more highly of him.
We can’t wait to work with him and he’s also excited to show us what he capable of doing, he’s a top quality signing and such a quality player.“
28 year old, Wacokecoke comes into the Knights line up for the 2024/25 season standing in at 180cm and weighing in at 94kg.
George Wacokecoke is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
Cornishman, Cory Teague is coming up to the north as he signs for the Doncaster Knights from Premiership side, Exeter Chiefs for the 2024/25 Season.
Bulldozer, Teague comes in at Lock for the Doncaster Knights. Having started his career for Wadebridge Camels, he quickly signed for Premiership outfit, Exeter Chiefs, making a great impression throughout the squad.
For the Chiefs, Teague initially represented the Under 16s side and later played in Premiership Rugby Cup and A League games. This season, he has made 7 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring a total of 5 points.
Back in the 2021/22 season, Teague became duel registered with Championship side Cornish Pirates, making his way back home to Cornwall. While playing with the Pirates, Teague has made 43 appearances for the club over 2 seasons.
Head Coach, Joe Ford on Teague’s arrival…
“He’s a great young talent, he’s played a lot of Championship rugby for his age, abrasive second row, very physical and always up for the fight, so he will be a great addition for the Knights squad for next year.”
Cory Teague comes in to the Knights squad at 1.98m tall, weighing in at 108kg.
Cory Teague is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
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Johannesburg born Full-Back, Brendan Owen signs for the Doncaster Knights from Premiership outfit, Bath for the 2024/25 Season.
Attacking threat, Owen, started his career back home in South Africa, where he played for Pretoria’s Blue Bulls. The current Bath Full-Back has also played his Rugby in Australia with Western Force and San Dona of Italy before making his way to the 2022/23 Championship Rugby winners, Jersey Reds back in 2019. The demise of the Reds saw Owen become a free agent early in the 2023 season, where he was snapped up by Premiership giants, Bath with immediate effect.
“He was at Jersey previously and went on loan to Bath for a short spell. He’s a top quality Full-Back and can give us versatility in other positions as well. We’re really looking forward to getting him at the club in July and I think he will be a great addition to the Knights squad for next season.” – Joe Ford, Head Coach
Owen comes into the Knights line up for the 2024/25 season standing at 1.92m and weighing in at 98kg.
Brendan Owen is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
Norwich born Back rower, Thom Smith signs for the Doncaster Knights from 2022/23 Championship Rugby winners, Jersey Reds for the 2024/25 Season.
Smith is an exciting young signing to bring back into the Doncaster Knights squad. Having started his professional Rugby career for Premiership titans, Leicester Tigers, back in the 2018/19 Season, Smith has gone from strength to strength as he became Leicester’s youngest captain at age 19.
Mid-way through the 2021/22 Season, Smith was released by the Tigers, to where he immediately signed for the Knights (coming off of a loan period to the Knights) and made a very lasting impression around Castle Park, on and off the pitch. While playing for Doncaster, Smith played a total of 2254 minutes, scoring a total of 25 points.
The end of the 2022/23 season saw Smith sign for Jersey Reds, who won the Championship league that season, but unfortunately fell into liquidation right on the cusp of the 2023/24 season opener, leaving Smith without a home team.
Head coach, Joe Ford had a few things to say about Smith’s return,
“People will know Smithy, one of the best people you can have around the environment. Such a positive influence on everyone the last time he was here and we were actually gutted to lose him to Jersey.
He’s been at Leicester, captained them and he’s another player that will add massive value to our squad. As soon as his name came up, we couldn’t sign him quick enough because firstly from what he brings off of the pitch, and importantly, the quality he brings onto the pitch, is so exciting. He’s going to be a massive part of what we’re about next year.”
Smith comes into the Knights squad aged 24, standing at 1.85m and weighing in at 103kg.
Thom Smith is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
Yorkshire born Fly-half, Morgan Bunting joins the Doncaster Knights from Championship opposition Nottingham for the 2024/25 Season.
Starting his Rugby career over at Hull Ionians in the National 2 North League back in the 2018/19 Season, Bunting quickly made the switch to Yorkshire rivals Rotherham Titans to gain the opportunity to play in the National League 1, where he made 14 appearances and scored over 30 points at the ripe age of 19. During this time, Bunting completed his University studies, playing with Bishop Burton and also captaining the side. At the start of the 2021 Season, Bunting made his professional Rugby debut for Championship outfit Nottingham, where he has been a key member of the squad, putting in a total of 2403 playing minutes and scoring 116 points from 49 appearances.
Head Coach, Joe Ford on Bunting’s arrival,
“He’s a Yorkshireman, which is important to us. We’re very keen to get Yorkshire players playing for a Yorkshire club, it means a lot to them but us as well. He’s got ties to the club with his Dad playing here in the past, and at the beginning of the season he was in brilliant form for Nottingham.
The exciting thing about Morgan is, there’s a lot more in him. The way he attacks the line, there’s a lot of growth there, his kicking game is really good and he’s tough, again, one that will add a lot of quality to our squad.”
Bunting comes into the Knights squad aged 23, standing at 1.8m and weighing in at 85kg.
Morgan Bunting is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
Dynamic Hooker, Fred Davies joins the Doncaster Knights from Premiership side, Bristol Bears for the 2024/25 Season.
Davies started out his career in the Northampton Saints Academy, and quickly made the transition into University Rugby. He was later picked up by Pat Lam (Bristol Bears) from BUCS Super Rugby side, Durham University, where he held the title of BUCS Super Rugby player of the year. Davies scored an impressive 22 tries for Durham in the 2021/22 BUCS Super Rugby competition, the competition’s all-time record. Known for his scoring ability and impressive performances, Davies brings a wealth of talent into the Doncaster Knights camp.
This season, Davies has gone on to make 5 appearances for the Bears, playing a total of 137 minutes.
Head coach, Joe Ford states,
“He has gained some invaluable experience while playing at Bristol. He’s captained Bristol and he’s going to come in and add some real competition within the squad and as ever, add great options at hooker for the new season.
He’s worked with Darren Fearn (Doncaster Knights Forwards Coach for the 2024/25 Season) at England students and Darren was very keen to bring him into the side.”
Davies comes into the Knights pack aged 25, standing at 1.86m and weighing in at 110kg.
Fred Davies is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
Doncaster delivered an outstanding performance and result at Castle Park, one of the shocks of the season, and while they deservedly beat the league’s best side, they couldn’t stop them winning the Championship, thanks to Coventry’s defeat by Cornish Pirates.
So, the west London club win the Championship for the second time under director of rugby Ben Ward, but after this defeat by the Knights, who recovered strongly from successive losses, he was rather subdued.
“ I’ve got mixed emotions. We are delighted to win the league. We set out at the start of the season with that goal, and we’ve achieved it.
“ But we didn’t play to the level we are capable of, so full credit to Doncaster. I also owe a few beers to the boys at Pirates. I thought Doncaster were really good.
“ This is a tough league so to achieve our target is special. We’ll take that and looking ahead I want to create a legacy.”
After losing at Bedford, Doncaster were determined to fight back and show their potential. Excellent tries by scrum half Ollie Fox, running in from 30 metres, and then by centre Joe Margetts, side-stepping through weak defence, plus accurate goal-kicking from fly half Russ Bennett, two conversions and two penalties, provided a lead of 20-12 with 12 minutes remaining.
This set up a tense climax as Ealing, guilty of missing several chances and earlier handicapped by yellow cards against Craig Willis and Tom Collins, tried hard to regain control.
However, as Doncaster defended so effectively and with Ealing conceding penalties, they could never match the authority which produced tries for hooker Matt Cornish and winger Collins.
The thrilling try by Margetts, arguably was the turning point and with Bennett’s conversion, Doncaster led 17-12.
The Knights’ pack fought relentlessly to keep the ball, and collectively the team showed genuine character in their last home game in which they caused a major upset.
“ I’m so proud of the boys after we lost at Bedford. Our defence coach, Tyson Lewis, has done a great job. Not many teams this season have kept Ealing to 12 points,” said Doncaster’s coach Joe Ford.
“ He prepared the boys brilliantly and they then put their bodies on the line. I also thought our half backs, Ollie Fox and Russ Bennett played so well.”
With one game left, the new champions Ealing have won 15 matches and lost four, and are now busy recruiting for next season with the aim of retaining their title.
Hull born centre/winger, Jordon Olowofela signs for Doncaster Knights from Championship rivals Nottingham, ready for the 2024/25 season.
Former Leicester Tigers centre, Olowofela has a wealth of experience having played within the Premiership outfit for 5 seasons, while with the Tigers, Jordon went to play out in the Super Rugby Pacific league with Western Force on loan, where he gained 10 appearances under his belt.
Signing for Championship side, Nottingham in 2022, Olowofela has since been a key figure within their starting 15.
Head coach, Joe Ford comments on Jordon’s arrival for the 2024/25 season…
“I spent a couple of years with him at Leicester, I know he’s a great character and will fit into the group perfectly. He’s really well liked by everyone and this is really important coming into a new group.
He’s a player who’s got genuine speed, in testing at Leicester he was faster than Jonny May, he’s excited and has loads of experience from playing in the Premiership, Super Rugby Pacific and he’s also been playing really well for Nottingham this year, so we’re very excited to see him at Castle Park for next season.”
Jordon Olowofela comes into the Knights squad aged 26, standing in at 1.88cm and weighing 92kg.
Jordon Olowofela is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk
