Match report to follow.

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 5^th Vs 6^th battling it out for a top three finish.

Starting XV

1. Conor Davidson
2. George Roberts
3. Lewis Thiede
4. Evan Mintern
5. Ben Murphy
6. Fyn Brown
7. Archie Smeaton
8. Harry Wilson
9. Ollie Fox
10. Russell Bennett
11. Maliq Holden
12. Connor Edwards
13. Joe Margetts
14. Jack Metcalf
15. Billy McBryde ©

Replacements

16. Ethan Caine
17. Harrison Courtney
18. Corrie Barrett
19. Adam Hopkinson
20. Jack Digby
21. Rhys Tait
22. Alex Dolly
23. Joe Bedlow

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.

Get or renew your Doncaster Knights season tickets for 2024/25 by clicking right HERE

Doncaster’s 10^th 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.

Starting XV
1. Conor Davidson
2. George Roberts
3. Lewis Thiede
4. Evan Mintern
5. Ben Murphy
6. Fyn Brown
7. Archie Smeaton
8. Harry Wilson
9. Ollie Fox
10. Russell Bennett
11. George Simpson
12. Connor Edwards
13. Joe Margetts
14. Jack Metcalf
15. Billy McBryde ©

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

You can still purchase your matchday tickets here at drfc.co.uk/tickets

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

*Must bring own packed lunch on each day

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.

Position: Performance Analysis Placement

Hours: Full Time (4 days a week including match days)

Location: Castle Park Stadium, Doncaster. Some national travel will be required as part of the role.

Closing Date: 1st July 2024

Job description:
Doncaster Knights compete in the RFU Championship and are looking to appoint a Student to contribute to the first team and academy training and match days for the 2024/25 season. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual who is looking to begin or further their career within performance analysis.

Reporting to the Head of Performance Analysis.
• Capturing, processing, and analysing of all training footage 1st team and Academy.
• Assist the Head Analyst to provide coaching staff with post-match team and individual
video and statistical analysis.
• Prepare individual clips of player’s involvement during games to aid development.
• Update and maintain the club’s online analysis resource (Hudl).
• Prepare pre- and post-match highlights, footage as governed by the Head of Analysis.
These responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be added to as the role develops. Essential Requirements:
• It is essential that all candidates have started an undergraduate degree in Sports Science, Performance Analysis or any other relevant disciplines.
• Must be competent and show good levels of I.T literacy, the use of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, file sharing systems (Google Drive, Dropbox & Wetransfer) and iMovie.
• Reliable and trustworthy with sensitive club information and equipment.
• Proactive and driven to succeed

Desirable Requirements:
• An interest in coaching, preferably having started coaching badges (Level 1 desirable) but not essential.
• Experience with using filming equipment would also be beneficial.
• Previous experience and access to Sportscode/ Nacsport software would be
advantageous
• Willing to commit to unsociable hours including evenings and weekends
• Be dedicated in learning the field of Video Analysis

Candidates must be aware that this is a voluntary placement role and there will be no financial reward. Doncaster Knights will however be dedicated to working alongside the chosen candidate in order to help further their development in the field.

Please email your CV along with a covering letter stating why you feel this placement would be beneficial to you and what you feel you could offer Doncaster Knights RFC to MHarland@castle-park.co.uk with the subject title Performance Analyst Placement.

The case of Maliq Holden, Doncaster Knights, was heard on papers by single judicial officer, Charles Cuthbert.

Holden was shown a red card by the referee in the first half of the match against Cornish Pirates on 23 March 2024. This was for a physical abuse, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12 for forcefully pushing an opposition player in the face. Holden accepted the charge and was given a one-week suspension.

The player will miss the following games:
14.04.24 v Caldy

The full judgment is available here and an infographic available here.

For background detail on panel members please click here
.
For RFU Regulation 19 please click here.

For the sanctions table (RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 2) please click here.

Season Tickets are now on sale for our 2024-25 Championship Campaign. Join us as we celebrate our 150th anniversary year!

We are pleased to be able to confirm season ticket prices start from just £150. We anticipate a minimum of 15 home games at Castle Park next season, so you can watch your knights for just £10 per game! We remain committed to growing the game and therefore all 16 & under will be completely FREE!

We hope the pricing of our season tickets for the 2024-25 campaign reflects how committed we are as a club to engage with new fans and also to show our appreciation and gratitude to those fans who have been so loyal to us for many years.

 

Early Bird & Renewal Deadline: Thursday 6th June 2024

Whether you are renewing your season ticket or becoming a new season ticket holder you can take advantage of our early bird season ticket pricing starting from just £150 on the terrace and £180 in the De Mulder Lloyd stand these will be held at these prices until Friday 7th June. If you want to keep your seat then this can also be renewed until Thursday 6th June, any non-renewed seats will be available to the general public from Friday 7th June. 

 

1875 Club Hospitality Season Tickets: 

New for the 2024-25 season ….. Why not enhance your matchday experience and treat yourself with our unbelievable value, 1875 Club Season Ticket. For every Knights matchday in the 2024-25 season you can expect, 

• Delicious Hot Buffet
• Sweet Treats to Follow
• Knights Player or Coach Pre-Match Interview
• Warm & Exclusive Room Before the Game
• Private Bar – Beat the Queue!
• Official Matchday Teamsheet
• Complimentary Tea & Coffee 

 

We look forward to seeing you at Castle Park very soon … Get Ready For Battle