Doncaster Knights will face Bury St. Edmunds on Friday 23^rd August for a 7:30pm kick-off at Castle Park.

This will be the Knights’ first run out of the 2024/25 campaign, allowing Head Coach, Joe Ford, to trial all new signings and current squad members into the system, and give him an early indication for the season of how the team works together.

Ford had this to say about the fixture:

“Bury are one of the strongest teams in National 2 East, my youngest brother Jacob is doing a brilliant job down there. It will be a great opportunity for a mix of our senior squad, development players and academy to get their first run out of the season.

It will be exciting to get back out at Castle Park in front of our fans giving them all the opportunity to meet our new players for the first time. We can’t wait to see you all again soon.”

You can purchase tickets for the game now, by clicking this link. Prices for adults start from £6, with under 16s going free.

This will also be the first opportunity for fans to see the new 150^th Anniversary kit, created and designed by SAMURAI.

For all season ticket holders, your ticket will be valid for this pre-season friendly. Not got yours yet? Buy now here!

DEADLINE FOR TICKETS IS FRIDAY 16th AUGUST

We are delighted to announce the resigning of 13 Doncaster Knights players, who will be staying with us for another year for the 2024/25 season.

The coaching staff at Castle Park believe there is still a lot of talent within this group of players, and they all have plenty more to offer. This group will also help the new crop of players integrate and settle into the club, as Doncaster look to better their performance from last season.

Players staying on this season are as follows:
Lewis Theide, Connor Edwards, Conor Davidson, Maliq Holden, Ollie Fox, Ben Murphy, Alex Dolly, Archie Smeaton, George Roberts, Russell Bennett, Harry Davey, Rhys Tait and Adam Hopkinson.

We are also pleased to promote 4 academy players into the First Team for the upcoming season. Congratulations to Calvin Mitchell, James Harrison, Will Metcalfe and Sai Tobeyweni, very well deserved.

To see a full list of the squad for next season, click the link

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of Andrew Turner from Bristol Bears.

Starting his rugby journey in Weston-Super-Mare, Turner joined the Bristol Bears academy in 2020 as a loose-head prop before signing his first professional contract with them in 2021. 

Andrew is currently 22-years-old, 1.83m tall and weighs a hefty 115kgs, the perfect physique for his position. In 2022, Andrew Turner was fortunate enough to represent England in the Under 20s Six Nations Championship.

During an injury crisis, Andrew went on loan to New Zealand team Crusaders last year, which was an important step in his career. He only played twice but was a valued asset of their squad in a difficult time for the club.

Andrew is a very mobile player in his position, and a very capable scrummager. His power, mobility and competency are what peaked the interested of Doncaster to go ahead with the signing, and everyone is excited to get Turner involved in the squad.

Head coach, Joe Ford, has detailed how he is looking forward to introducing such a young yet experienced player like Andrew into the Knights system, and hopes this move can be one that benefits both parties in a positive way for the upcoming season and beyond.

At only 22-years-old, Andrew has been fortunate enough to play abroad, represent his nation, and play for a successful Premiership side, all while playing alongside very talented players. Everyone at Doncaster Knights hopes this level of maturity and experience can be shared across the squad as we search for a successful season.

Andrew is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at [email protected] or Tracey Owen at [email protected]

Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce the signing of Josh Williams on a permanent deal from Cornish Pirates.

26-years-old, 118kgs and 1.95m, second row Josh Williams has put pen to paper to begin the next step in his illustrious career. Born in Teesside, he has represented England from Under-18 to Under-20, demonstrating his maturity in the game from a young age.

Williams developed his love for rugby while at school at Hartpury College, before signing his first professional contract with Newcastle Falcons where he honed in on his skills. Josh then went on to join the Royal Marines as a Royal Marine Commando and has represented the Royal Navy rugby team on numerous occasions.

In 2021, Josh Williams was ready to resume his professional rugby career, however, his season was cut very short due to a season-long injury but came back tackling and running to his best in the 2022/23 campaign.

Last season, Josh only played four times as he continued to balance his career in the Royal Marines but did manage to find himself on the score sheet on one occasion. Doncaster hopes to give Williams plenty of opportunity to allow both his careers in rugby and the armed forces to flourish in the 2024/25 season

His enormous size and competency should fill fans with hope, as there should be no doubt that Josh will be a great asset in lineouts, along with his brilliant track record in defensive settings. Head coach, Joe Ford, believes this move is the perfect stepping stone for Williams’ as he continues his rugby career, and everyone at the Knights hopes for a long and successful tenure for the second row.

Josh is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at [email protected] or Tracey Owen at [email protected]

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟓 & 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝  

We are actively seeking a main stand sponsor for the forthcoming season  

This would be a great way to showcase your brand and support a local professional sports club in Doncaster.

Drop [email protected] or [email protected] a message for a specific proposal built around your company’s brand and needs.

Everyone at Doncaster Rugby Football Club is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of William “Billy” Halkett.

Statement by the Championship Clubs after the RFU Council meeting on Friday June 14th, 2024

The Championship has today (Friday) won the right to a realistic chance of promotion to the top-tier of the game and taken control of its destiny with the creation of a new, independently-chaired Tier 2 Board of governance. 

The RFU Council today approved a promotion and relegation deal that the Championship clubs have been fighting for since the beginning of 2023. 

The deal means that in order to be eligible for promotion, the minimum operating standards have been relaxed to make them more achievable and the deadline for achieving those standards will be spread over four seasons. Full details will be announced in due course. 

Previously, the terms and conditions of entry had been unacceptable to Championship clubs, because the amount of investment needed and the shorter timetable made them impracticable to a potential promotion candidate.  

In its meeting today, the RFU Council also approved the new Tier 2 Board, a body with an equal representation of Championship and RFU members, chaired by an independent person. That Board will take decisions affecting the commercial exploitation of the second-tier league, hence allowing our clubs to make the most of their marketing, media and broadcasting rights. 

The clubs believe these changes herald a new era for the professional game in England. They set the current 12 clubs – and all those who wish one day to join them – onto a brighter footing. 

With an agreed pathway to promotion, many of the current league’s clubs will now start the planning and investment that will give them a fighting chance to be the first non-P shareholder to reach the Premiership since London Welsh in 2014.  

Simon Halliday, chairman of the Championship, said after the RFU Council’s vote: “We have got what we came for. Now our clubs – and every club – can realistically dream of promotion to the Premiership. 

“There is now a genuine path for ambitious clubs to rise; the top tier is reconnected to the rest of the English rugby and we can use our commercial potential to fund the growth that rugby sorely needs at our level. 

“This is a result that brings common resolve to our sport, guaranteeing that English rugby remains open and fair from the lowest league to the highest.” 

PolarCool AB (publ) has entered into a two-year agreement with the English Championship Rugby team, Doncaster Knights, for the use of the PolarCap® System. The agreement marks PolarCool’s first entry into the English Championship, the second professional tier of English Rugby.

PolarCool develops and markets the product PolarCap®, which alleviates the effects of concussions. The primary users of PolarCap® include sports clubs, organizations, and facilities in contact sports such as ice hockey, rugby, football, and handball, but also other sports with an increased risk of concussion.

The agreement with Doncaster Knights represents an important entrance into the second professional tier in English rugby. Despite low budgets in English Championship Rugby, Doncaster Knights’ prioritization of providing treatment with PolarCap® shows their commitment to player welfare and advancing the care of their athletes.

PolarCool’s CEO Erik Andersson comments:

-We are thrilled to partner with Doncaster Knights to introduce PolarCap® into the English Championship. This agreement shows our shared commitment to player safety and well-being. We look forward to supporting the Knights in advancing concussion management in rugby.

Sir Ian McGeechan, Doncaster Knights’ Director of Rugby, has been instrumental in the team providing the treatment. Sir Ian McGeechan is a renowned figure in rugby, known for his successful coaching career with the British and Irish Lions, as well as his extensive experience and contributions to the sport.

Taniela Ramasibana has officially signed with Doncaster Knights, making the move from French side, USA Perpignan. 

Ramasibana is a 23-year-old Fijian-born player who spent his early career developing his rugby at Top 14 side, Perpignan, as a flanker and second row. At a towering 1.95m tall and weighing around 105kg, Ramasibana is sure to make an impact for the Knights on his physical prowess alone.

During the 2022/23 season, he made several appearances in both the Top 14 league and the Challenge Cup, demonstrating his maturity and ability at only 21-years-old at the time, and even found himself on the scoresheet on two occasions. He also represented the Fijian national team at Under-20 level.

Taniela Ramasibana is a bit of an unknown entity amongst English fans, but head coach, JoeFord, and the rest of the Knights coaching staff believe there is plenty of unlocked talent herefor what promises to be an exciting debut season in English rugby.

With versatility to play both second and back row, Ramasibana will be hoping to aid the team in their efforts of bettering the past seasons performances, both defensively and offensively. Joe Ford has expressed his delight in the new addition to the squad, stating how his physicality and mobility round the pitch should add a cutting edge in the Knights’ charge for the upcoming season.

Taniela is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at [email protected] or Tracey Owen at [email protected]

Ben Chapman has officially signed with Doncaster Knights, making the move from Ampthill RFC. 

Chapman is an English rugby player who primarily plays as a hooker. Standing 1.82 meters tall and weighing 102 kg, he has made a mark with his physical presence and skills on the field. Chapman has played for Cardiff University RFC and Ampthill Rugby before his recent move to Doncaster Knights​.

During the 2023-2024 season with Ampthill, Chapman participated in the Premiership Rugby Cup, where he featured in five matches, his performances included significant minutes on the field, showcasing his reliability and endurance as a player​.

Ben Chapman is known for his versatility and capability to make impactful plays, which Doncaster Knights hope to leverage in their upcoming campaign. His signing is seen as a significant addition to the Knights’ squad for the upcoming season. Joe Ford, the head coach of Doncaster Knights, has expressed high expectations for Chapman, highlighting his potential to make a substantial impact on the team.

Joe Ford commented on Chapman’s signing, emphasizing Chapman’s versatility and ability to bring a new dynamic to the squad. Ford noted that Chapman’s agility and quickness would be invaluable assets, particularly in our offensive strategies​. Ford’s, optimism reflects a strategic move to strengthen the team’s capabilities and overall performance for the 2024-25 campaign.

Chapman’s career has been marked by his adaptability and consistent performances, making him a promising player for the Knights as they aim to compete at higher levels in the Championship. His transition from Ampthill to Doncaster is expected to be seamless, given his professional experience and the supportive environment fostered by the Knights’ coaching staff​.

Ben is available for sponsorship for the 2024/25 season – For more information, please contact Tom Foy at [email protected] or Tracey Owen at [email protected]