Here is all the important info for tomorrow’s game! Tickets are still available here.

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their very first Championship match day squad of the season. Doncaster Knights face Ampthill at Castle Park on Saturday 21 September in round one.

The Knights are playing quite a different squad to the team that faced Bury St Edmunds during pre season. Alex Dolly moves back to his first choice position, scrum half after having a run out at fly half in August, with Ollie Fox as the replacement nine. Russ Bennett starts at fly half with local boy, Morgan Bunting on the bench. 

Zach Kerr is joined by Connor Edwards in the centre with Maliq Holden partnering Semesa Rokoduguni on the wing. Jordan Olowofela remains at full back. Harry Davey moves to the bench as back three replacement. 

In the pack, we see a brand new front row to the Bury fixture, with Logovi’i Mulipola and Joe Jones at prop and George Roberts in between as hooker. Captain Ben Murphy is paired with Thom Smith to make up the second row. 

Our back row however, remains the same as pre season. Archie Smeaton and Rhys Tait flank, with Morgan Strong at eight. 

Fred Davies, Andrew Turner and Lewis Thiede make up the front row replacements, while Taniela Ramasibana and Jasper McGuire will be ready to replace the second and back row.

Starting XV | 1. Logovi’i Mulipola, 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ben Murphy (C), 5. Thom Smith, 6. Archie Smeaton, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Morgan Strong, 9. Alex Dolly, 10. Russ Bennett, 11. Maliq Holden, 12. Connor Edwards, 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Jordan Olowofela

Replacements | 16. Fred Davies, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Taniela Ramasibana, 20. Jasper McGuire, 21. Ollie Fox, 22. Morgan Bunting, 23. Harry Davey

Injury news: Adam Hopkinson is out of contention due to a hand injury, with Josh Williams, Telusa Veainu, Cory Teague and George Wacokecoke unavailable due to match fitness.

Two of our new signings Morgan Strong and Ben Chapman have joined the Knights after spending last season with Ampthill.

Tickets for the fixture are available here!

Second Row, Thom Smith was part of the Knights during the 2021/22 season before moving to Jersey Reds. After his time at Jersey, Smith took some time away from the sport, before returning to Castle Park.

The 24-year-old, explained how it feels to return: “After Jersey, I took a little bit of time out from rugby. I didn’t expect to miss it as much as I did. But then I got a message from Matt [Harland] and Joey [Ford] about two months before the season started and I bit their hand off. I’m really excited to be back.”

Despite Smith having been with Doncaster previously, the squad has changed dramatically, with only a few familiar faces left from Smith’s season. He explained, “Weirdly, the team have come together very quickly. Hats off to the backroom staff. I think the players that they’ve got in are brilliant. Off the field, we’ve gelled really well. And on it, I think hopefully we’ll see the fruits of our labour come the season.”

Amongst the new team is a big selection of experienced players, Smith said: “I think their experience is invaluable. The likes of Logo and Telusa who are just coming in. Even the likes of Jordy (Jordan Olowofela) who have been at very impressive environments. Their knowledge, not only just game knowledge, but life experience too, It’s just great to have around to learn off.”

As well as the experienced players in the Squad, the Knights have acquired some young and upcoming team members too. Smith plays the same position as Bath loanee, Arthur Green. He said: “hopefully I can help guide him and he might be able to guide me as well. I think, we’ve got a good blend and it’s definitely exciting going into the season to try and see where we can finish up.” 

As part of the pre season schedule, the Knights travelled down to Bristol for a behind closed doors game. Smith, who was involved on the day explained: “I think the positive from it was that, going to an environment which is obviously in the Premiership. Firstly, their facilities are unreal, so just experiencing that was really cool.”

“And then them as an outfit as well, it was a great test. The conditions were quite poor, but it was a game we were after, we got stuck in and got a good result in the end.” (Bristol 14-33 Doncaster)

Finally, the second row emphasised the feelings in the squad heading into the start of the Championship this weekend: 

“I think just everyone’s really excited. We’ve obviously got our ambitions and our goals that we’ve set. But none of them are going to come without hard work. So we’re just looking forward to getting into it now.”

Doncaster Knights face Ampthill in the first Championship game of the season this weekend. Saturday 21 September – book your tickets now!

Are you – or is someone you know looking to take thier sporting career to the next level? Doncaster Knights Academy is the perfect way to combine rugby and education.

Join us for an exciting insight into the Doncaster Knights Academy and University Campus Doncaster (UCDon)!

• Wednesday, September 2
• 5-9pm

You’ll have the chance to meet the coaches, players, and teaching staff, and enjoy an action-packed British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) match between the Academy and Sheffield University.

If you’re looking to develop your rugby skills while continuing your education after 18, this event is just for you. In partnership with UCDon, the Doncaster Knights offer a fantastic sporting experience and a student-athlete development programme. This programme, led by expert coaches and professionals, can be pursued alongside any HNC or degree course at UCDon.

Event Highlights:

• Q&A with the Doncaster Knights Academy coaching team and UCDon academic staff
• Meet the current Academy players
• Watch the thrilling South Yorkshire derby between the Academy and Sheffield University.

If you would like to register a place at the event, you can book online here!

For more information contact, Tyson Lewis – [email protected] OR Glen Kenworthy – [email protected]

Telusa Veainu arrived at Castle Park today for his first day with Doncaster Knights. The Tongan international got stuck straight in with today’s training and afterwards reflected on how he feels:

“It’s been very welcoming, I know a few of the boys here and they told me it’s sunny all year round so I’ve turned up and they clearly didn’t lie about that.”

“I’ve really enjoyed my first day here. I’ve had a few trainings with the boys and a bit of fitness. I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.”

Veainu explains the reasons why he thinks Doncaster Knights is the right place for him:

“I mean, apart from the weather, speaking to guys like Logo and Rocco, and obviously knowing Joey Ford from Leicester.

“I like the way that he’s heading with this team and what direction he’s trying to get to. I like what he’s trying to do here at the club. Speaking to him really convinced me to come here.” 

The 33-year-old has had an impressive career so far, playing both Premiership and International Rugby. He hopes that his experience will benefit the squad.

“I think it will be me guiding them and helping out wherever they need me. Whether it’s taking care of the young boys in terms of how the game is played, or maybe just life skills – whatever they may be.” 

“I just want to be here to get the best out of them and learn a lot from the young guys, and feed off their energy as well.”

“Aside from that side, I just want to win. And I believe, after being around the boys that there’s a good feeling about it. With the coaches that we’ve got here, obviously Joey leading, everything is clear and he knows where his true north is.”

“I’m really excited. He’s kept it simple and it’s an exciting brand of footy that he wants to play. So I can’t wait.”

The season begins on Saturday 21st September when the Knights face Ampthill at home. To see Veainu and the rest of the team in action, secure your tickets here!

Doncaster Knights have signed experienced Tonga full-back, Telusa Veainu ahead of the 24/25 Championship Season. 

The accomplished 33-year-old, has experience at all levels of Rugby Union and will be fantastic for the development of the younger Knights.

Veainu spent five incredible seasons at Leicester Tigers, in his first season, he won both newcomer of the year and player of the year. During his time at Welford Road he scored 32 tries in 79 appearances, before joining French Top 14 side Stade Francais in 2020. 

Throughout his stint in France, he scored 50 points in 42 appearances before making the return to the English Premiership on a one-year deal with Sale Sharks for the 2023/24 season.

The full back played for New Zealand U20 at the age of 18 and 19, but in 2015 he was selected for Tonga for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup. He made his debut in the opening match against Fiji, scoring an excellent try.

Veainu was then selected for Tonga’s 31-man squad to attend the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Veainu was Tonga’s top try-scorer of the tournament, scoring three tries in total, two against Argentina and one in a two-point deficit to France.

Head Coach Joe ford says:

“He’s really passionate about helping the younger players and will make a massive impact for them both on and off the pitch.” 

“Veainu has a brilliant understanding of the game, he’s the best I’ve seen running the ball back, but he’s also so much more than that. He will add to our leadership group and drive high standards both on and off the field.” 

“We can’t wait to get him started into the group this week as we build towards our first game of the season V Ampthill. He’s a really exciting signing and will add so much quality to our back-three.” 

Doncaster Knights are extremely excited to add yet another experienced and talented player to the 2024/25 line up. 

The brand new squad kick off their Championship season on the 21st of September against Ampthill, you can buy your tickets now!

The Knights travelled down to Bristol Bears training facilities to take on the west country team in a friendly fixture that took place behind closed doors.

Despite being 14-0 down at half time, the Knights displayed a determined and skilful performance that allowed them to dominate the second half.  

The tricky conditions in the first half meant it was a slow start for Doncaster, however there was some promising moments throughout.

Bristol came close to scoring their first points during a line out on the 5m line. However, the Knights defended with strength and managed to regain possession during the rolling maul. The visitors then opted for the scrum before Alex Dolly comfortably cleared the exit kick.

The Knights continued to defend well with both Thom Smith and Ben Murphy earing turnovers from jackles. However, after holding out the home team for a while, Bristol eventually cracked the defence and scored two tries in quick succession.

Bristol’s first score followed a line out where the ball was offloaded to a forward that squeezed his way through the Knights’ defence. Their second try also followed a line out with the hooker breaking away from the rolling maul and sliding over the line.

Both Bristol’s tries were converted meaning the Knights went into half time 14-0 down.

Nonetheless, Doncaster lit up the second half with exciting attack and impeccable defence, scoring five tries and conceding none.

The Knights threw a long line out to Lewis Thiede who carried well to gain ground, before Dolly offloaded to Taniela Ramasibana. Ramasibana carried to the line and popped the ball to Maliq Holden, who finished the try in the corner. Russ Bennett confidently slotted the conversion from out wide.

Holden then claimed a second score after the forwards made a series of carries on the line. This drew in the defence and opened the space for Holden to receive the ball and finish in the corner again. Bennett levelled the scores with another conversion from the touchline.

Connor Davison made a fantastic break and gained serious ground before offloading to Ben Chapman. Chapman delayed his offload to Ollie Fox long enough to open the gap for Fox to carry the remaining distance and score. Bennett added the extras again.

Jordan Olowofela was the next Knight to get his name on the score sheet. Fox fed the ball out the scrum to Bennett, who then shifted the ball back inside as Olowofela ran onto the ball at pace, allowing him to slide right over the line. Yet again, Bennett added the extras.

Finally, Holden earned himself a hattrick when reacted quickly to a loose ball, kicking it down the wing and chasing at pace. He showed great speed to beat the Bristol defenders to the ball and gather it over the line.

Full time score, 14-33.

After a promising game, the Knights now look ahead to the start of the Championship on Saturday the 21^st of September, where they will face Ampthill at home.

Secure your tickets here: TICKETS!

The Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and The Rugby Players Association have co-created a new Men’s Professional Game Partnership (MPGP) after 18 months of collaboration. 
 
The eight-year partnership aims to create world-leading English teams and thriving professional leagues with players and fans at the heart of it.

Improved Governance, Funding, Stabilisation and Cost Alignment

To lead this partnership into the next era, a new Professional Rugby Board (PRB) has been established to replace the Professional Game Board so that all rugby decisions are brought under one roof to oversee the strategy. The PRB will have an independent chair and two further independent members.  

The RFU and Premiership Rugby will each have three voting members including the RFU’s newly appointed Board Member Wayne Barnes. The RPA will have two seats on the new Board (one voting and one observer) to ensure that players are central to decision making for the professional game. 

The funding deal is across two four-year cycles with a guaranteed £33m per season for the first cycle, moving to a profit share in the second cycle of 26% of the RFU’s Profit Before Rugby Investment (PBRI). 

A number of joint initiatives to grow revenues and manage costs in the overall system, include;

• Commercial growth through a landmark Joint Marketing Agreement, driving club attendances and growing respective TV audiences and social following.  
• A commitment to implementing a salary cap formula from 25/26 aligned to key central financial metrics, which will include a review of the salary cap credit system.
• Closer alignment and sharing of information to aid player welfare and management across the professional game.
• Implementation of an independent Financial Monitoring Panel (FMP) to monitor financial stability across Premiership Rugby and provide confidence to clubs playing in any given season. The FMP is currently chaired by Sir Nigel Boardman and is already in operation for the 24/25 season.

World-leading English teams                                                                                                                                                        

The Men’s Professional Game Partnership has a vision to create ‘World-leading English teams and thriving professional leagues delivered through a fully optimised performance system in partnership with our players’. Fundamental to this vision are the changes to professional rugby system that have been agreed:  
 
Enhanced England Playing Squad (EPS)                                                                                                                                                  

The England Head Coach will be able to select up to 25 players into the Enhanced EPS, ensuring optimum preparation for key international fixtures, and will have the final say on all sports science and medical matters relating to the management of Enhanced EPS players.   
 
England performance pathway                                                                                                                                                                    

To provide improved international playing opportunities and a link to the senior men’s team, the U20s EPS squad will be expanded to 50 players and there will be up to four England A matches per season, with the squads drawn from the Senior and U20 EPS squads, with the opportunity to bring in additional U23 players if required. 
 
Player welfare and management                                                                                                                                                            

There is a continued commitment to world-leading player welfare initiatives through collaboration and joint investment, including the use of aligned welfare and performance data systems for all players, clubs and England teams, underpinned by audited and sanctionable minimum standards/regulations. A jointly implemented Athlete Management System (AMS) will be introduced across clubs and England to better integrate, standardise and report on welfare and performance data.  
 
Academy structure                                                                                                                                                                            

Reflecting the new structure of the Gallagher Premiership, the academy boundaries have been redefined, aligned to the Premiership clubs alongside a Yorkshire academy which will continue to be RFU operated under authority of the PRB. These academies will work with and utilise central data to establish satellite sites to ensure regional coverage with an ambition for access with reduced travel time for players. 
 
Pathway changes.                                                                                                                                                                                    

The academies will deliver a redefined phased approach to the player development system, starting at U15 and encompassing three phases: Foundation (ages 15 to 16), Development (ages 17 to 18) and Confirmation (ages 19 to 20). Each Academy will ensure that at least two State School / College partnerships are established, developed, and appropriately resourced to be able to participate in the RFU schools’ competition.  
 
Community                                                                                                                                                                                                  

All parties are working together to co-create a joint community game programme that will align with the priorities emerging from the RFU’s Community Game Future strategy and will build on the success of Project Rugby to continue to make the game more inclusive (the joint initiative from Premiership Rugby, in collaboration with the RFU and Gallagher that focused on engaging disadvantaged young people with Rugby Union).  
 
Player Support Fund                                                                                                                                                                                      

All three parties will establish a Player Support Fund, which will be administered and supported by Restart, the official charity of the RPA. The fund will initially focus on medical support for retiring players, mental wellbeing support for current and retired players, as well as providing a safety net for players and staff affected by unforeseen club situations.   

Promotion and Relegation 

The RFU Council agreed there would continue to be a two-match home and away play-off between the bottom placed Gallagher Premiership club and the winner of the Championship/Tier 2, provided that that latter club meets the Minimum Standards Criteria in place at the relevant time. This continues to allow for promotion and relegation, but also balances the careful financial challenges of clubs in those leagues and ensure that promoted clubs can sustainably compete.   
 
PGB agreed to increased flexibility in the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) for entry into the Gallagher Premiership. The new MSC will allow a longer period for a promoted club to achieve required ground capacities.  Clubs may move from 5,000, to 7,500 and finally 10,001 at the start of their fourth season in the Premiership at the latest. This should enable aspirational clubs who gain promotion longer to embed into the Premiership a smoother transition in terms of investment into their stadium. From the start of the 2024/25 season, the responsibility of determining the MSC will transfer to the Professional Rugby Board. 
 
Championship clubs have again been invited to play in the Premiership Rugby Cup and this invitation has already been extended for the 2025/26 season. 

All parties want a viable, sustainable, and valued second tier that can produce clubs capable of competing in the Premiership and providing the jeopardy and competition that keeps the league vibrant. However, there is currently a major gap in competitiveness and playing budgets between the Gallagher Premiership and Championship clubs and the financial requirements needed to compete in the Gallagher Premiership. 

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that half back, James Blackett will be joining the club for the first month of the Championship season. 

The 22-year-old has come from Premiership side Newcastle Falcons, where he featured in both the Gallagher Premiership and the Premiership Rugby Cup.

During 2024 Blackett traveled to New Zealand where he played for Morrinsville Sports in the Waikato Club Competition as well as working for Piako tractors. Following this, he was in the Waikato NPC wider training squad, partaking in Pre-season training as well as representing the NZ Harlequins (Waikato development). 

The Knights are looking forward to having James around while the Championship season begins.