Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their first squad to run out at Castle Park this season. The Knights face Edinburgh Rugby for the second week in a row, after beating them 33-43 at the Hive Stadium last week. 

In the front row, Ben Chapman gets the start at hooker, with Conor Davidson and Lewis Thiede the props beside him. Captain, Ben Murphy comes into the line up to start in the second row with Josh Williams. 

Adam Hopkinson is named in the back row with Josh Bainbridge the other flanker and East Timor Viliamu starting at 8. 

Our front row replacements are hooker, George Roberts and Props, Logovi’i Mulipola and Joe Jones. Forwards, Ehize Ehizode, Morgan Jones, Thom Smith, Rhys Tait and Jasper McGuire are also listed among the replacements. 

We switch the half backs this week as Alex Dolly and Russell Bennett earn the starting shirts. Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting will replace them. 

We finally get to see double Olowofela action with a twin named on each wing, Jordan at 11 and Ryan at 14. Telusa Veainu is the full back between the pair. 

In the Centre, Connor Edwards returns with Semesa Rokoduguni on his outside. Backs, Matt McNab, Zach Kerr and Joe Margetts are also named amongst the replacements. 

Don’t miss the chance to catch our brand new squad at home for the first time. Secure your tickets now!

SQUAD: 1. Conor Davidson, 2. Ben Chapman, 3. Lewis Thiede, 4. Ben Murphy (C), 5. Josh Williams, 6. Adam Hopkinson, 7. Josh Bainbridge 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Alex Dolly. 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Connor Edwards, 13. Semesa Rokoduguni, 14. Ryan Olowofela, 15. Telusa Veainu

REPLACEMENTS: 16. George Roberts, 17. Logovi’i Mulipola 18. Joe Jones, 19. Ehize Ehizode, 20. Morgan Jones, 21. Thom Smith, 22. Ollie Fox, 23. Morgan Bunting, 24. Rhys Tait, 25. Jasper McGuire, 26. Matt McNab, 27. Zach Kerr, 28. Joe Margetts. 

Today’s match day charity partner – the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF)

Doncaster Knights have supported the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF). In addition to today’s opportunity to be match day charity partner, the Knights have generously donated £3,000 to the IPF from the silent auction at the club’s 150^th dinner.

The donation reflects the Knights’ ongoing support for the wider rugby community and is an example of how the rugby family looks after each other.

The IPF is England Rugby’s official charity and supports players from any level of the game who have sustained a life-changing injury while playing rugby union in England, specifically those which result in the loss of, or use of a limb, catastrophic spinal cord injuries or acute severe traumatic brain injuries which result in permanent functional disability.    

Thankfully, life-changing injuries like this are extremely rare in the sport. However, if a catastrophic injury does happen, the IPF will aim to be by a player’s hospital bedside within 48 hours and will continue to provide wide-ranging support for the player and their family for life, if needed. The IPF also funds vital research to improve injury management and players’ quality of life, and to reduce the risk of injury in rugby. 

Helping to spread the word about the IPF 

Match day partnerships like this are so important to help raise awareness of the IPF and the support it can provide, from funding rehabilitation, house adaptations or specialised equipment to supporting players in returning to work or education. While it’s highly unlikely a player you know will ever need the IPF, it’s important for the rugby community to be aware of how to access support if they do. Find out more at www.rfuipf.org.uk.

Please follow IPF socials and share information about the charity’s work and its inspiring members.

FACEBOOK: @RFUIPF      INSTAGRAM: @RFUIPF    X @TheRugbyCharity  Youtube: RFU Injured Players Foundation

Join Our IPF Squad

If Doncaster Knights’ partnership with the IPF has caught your attention today, do get in touch.

We’d love you to join the formidable IPF Support Squad we’re assembling, which includes well-known faces from Rugby World Cup winners to world-class referees. Find out more here

As part of this wider support squad, there are so many ways to get involved, from personal fundraising challenges to hosting an ‘Up Your Game’ fixture for the IPF. Special edition IPF socks are available for these matches, as stylishly modelled by Doncaster Knights today!

To find out more visit RFUIPF.org.uk/get-involved  

Doncaster Knights are thrilled to announce that Premcal, a leading Doncaster based precision calibration services company have enhanced their sponsorship for the upcoming season.  

Premcal will feature prominently at the top of the backs of our home & away shirts for the 2025/26 season and the launch of the exciting new Champ Rugby League. This bold new position will see the Premcal brand elevated with significantly more visibility during matches, media coverage and the new streaming that is being introduced for games.  

Offering engineering solutions from rail to aviation, motor sport to construction, Premcal have a strong presence in the region’s sporting and business environment. The new agreement reflects a shared commitment to excellence, community and business engagement and on-field success.   

With an enhanced kit sponsorship, Premcal are demonstrating their commitment to supporting Doncaster Knights ambitions on and off the pitch as the Knights remain focussed on promotion. Supporting the local community and businesses is also at the heart of Premcal’s values.  

Paul Niles, MD of Premcal said “We are absolutely delighted and very proud to enhance our sponsorship of Doncaster Knights and their ambitions. This is a collaboration rooted in shared values of teamwork, community, ambition and respect and Premcals’ decision to elevate our support demonstrates our confidence in the Knights’ future.  

Supporting our local community is also close to our hearts and the work that the Knights do in the local community is hugely beneficial”.  

A passionate rugby fan, Paul is excited about showing the support provided by Premcal to fans, the wider community, business community and to the far reaching rugby community.  

The club has also welcomed the continued and enhanced partnership. Tracey Owen, Head of Commercial, Doncaster Knights, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Paul Niles and Premcal  have enhanced their sponsorship of Doncaster Knights with a more prominent position for their business on our kit.  

“Their increased commitment empowers us to pursue our ambitions, strengthens our brand and allows us to deliver even more to our fans and the community. This partnership goes beyond just putting a logo on a shirt, it’s a true collaboration based on mutual respect and shared vision.” 

The latest agreement also sees Premcal extend their support with hospitality and season tickets in our brand new Heineken Lounge. Whether entertaining clients, staff or enjoying time with friends and family, Paul and his guests will enjoy a fantastic atmosphere, delicious street food and padded match day seats.  

The launch of the new Champ Rugby League on Friday 3rd October sees Doncaster Knights visit Nottingham for an evening clash with a kick off of 7.45pm. With the announcement of all Champ Rugby games being live streamed then this adds even more value to Premcal’s sponsorship for 2025/26.  

Physical season ticket cards are available for collection from the club’s reception during 9am and 4pm tomorrow and Friday. From 5pm on Friday, they can be collected from the ticket office before games.

Season tickets can also be accessed digitally. 

Follow the step by step for digital season tickets below: 

HOW TO GET STARTED 

Step 1:

Using the phone you wish to store your tickets on, click on this link, which will take you to the Doncaster Knights digital ticketing app.

Step 2:

• Add the Digital Ticketing icon to your home screen. 

• Chrome (Android):
  You will be prompted to add the Digital Ticketing page to your home screen when you open the Digital Ticketing Service for the first time. If you do not receive the prompt you can do so manually by selecting the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
• Safari (iPhone):
  Select the “share” button (square with an arrow pointing upwards) in the bottom centre of the screen; Scroll up to find “Add to home screen” ; Select “Add” on the top right corner of the screen.

Note: Apple does not allow you to add the Digital Ticketing icon to your homepage if you are using Chrome, so we recommend using Safari.

Step 3a (if you have an account):

Log-in with your ticketing email address and password, from here you will be able to access all Season Tickets and Match Day Tickets.

Step 3b (if you DON’T have an account):

Select “Create Account” in the bottom left-hand corner, and fill out the required fields. Please ensure you use the email address that you used to purchase your Match Day Tickets or Season Ticket on. Then click login to continue. Once you’ve logged in, you will have access to tall Season Tickets and Match Day Tickets, which can also be added to your Apple or Google Wallet.

Step 4:

When you arrive at Castle Park, open the Digital Ticketing page that you have now added to your home screen, or via your Apple or Google Wallet. Select on the appropriate order(s); Present the given QR code(s) on your device to the stewards.

Step 5:

Make your way in and enjoy the game!

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have appointed Ben Murphy as Club Captain for the second season running. 

Ben is now one of the longest serving members of the current squad, on 69 caps for the Knights. He had a stellar first season as Skipper last year, leading the boys to a third place finish and huge winning streak. 

Born in Wales, Murphy was a product of the regional pathways in Wales, beginning his rugby career at Abercynon for their junior squads, and played there until he was 18. 

In 2014, he then signed for Merthyr RFC, who at the time, were in the Welsh Championship. Murphy had a successful 3 years at the South Walian side, aiding in their epic success by winning the Championship in his second season and immediately winning the Welsh Premiership the season after.

In 2017, Ben was spotted by URC team, Cardiff Blues, and that was where he spent a lengthy period of his career. It was part-way through the 2021/22 season that Murphy ended his contract early with the Welsh capital, and made his way up to Doncaster in the November after only making 19 appearances for Cardiff.

We are delighted to be led by Murph again this year. 

Catch him in action for the first time this season on Friday night vs Edinburgh at Castle Park! GET TICKETS HERE

Doncaster Knights travelled to Edinburgh for their first of a preseason double header with the Scottish outfit. The Knights came out on top, winning 33-43 in a high scoring battle at The Hive.

It was the hosts that opened the scores, with their winger, Satala. He performed an impressive chip over the top, before chasing and collecting over the line. They added the conversion to go 7-0 up. 

Thom Smith soon answered back with a try on his first game after injury. A well executed line out brought us up to the try line, before Smith picked the ball and drove over. 7-5. 

Edinburgh then scored two more tries in quick succession. The first of which saw last season’s loan player, Tom Currie run in from out wide. Shortly after, inside centre, Matt Davidson broke into space and offloaded to supporting scrum half, Conor McAlpine. Both their tries were converted. 21-5. 

Matt Mcnab kicked off the Knight’s comeback with a brilliant try on the wing. The forwards spent a number of phases drawing the defenders in and opening up the space. The backs then moved the ball out wide and McNab powered over in the corner. 21-10

Donny began to build on the momentum and another debut try shortly followed. Aidan Cross intercepted a loose ball and made a break up to the half way line. He moved the ball across to R Olowofela who went the distance for his first Donny try. Morgan Bunting added the extras. 21-17. 

Rhys Tait led by example as today’s captain with a brilliant solo try. He powered through Edinburgh’s defence before shoving off the final defender and finishing the try. Bunting added the extras. 21-24. 

Edinburgh kept the scores close with one final try before the half time whistle. The forwards spent some time trying to drive the ball over the line, before shipping it out to their backs to finish the job. 

Half time score 28-24. 

The Knights came out firing in the second half and were the first to cross the line. Aidan Cross earned himself a try in his home country after a quick ball from Bunting opened the space for McNab to break through. He fires the ball out to Cross, allowing him to finish in the corner. 28-34

Jordan Olowofela then scored arguably the try of the day, thanks to McNab and his twin brother. McMab carried up the wing and pulled off an unbelievable dive to avoid touch while offloading. R Olowofela received the ball and passed it out the backdoor to his twin. J Olowofela dotted it down under the sticks and Alex Dolly added the conversion. 28-36

Satala then scored another solo try for the hosts, by snatching a loose ball and speeding over the line. 33-36.

Donny soon began to attack again and a huge carry at the line from East Timor Viliamu drew in the defending forwards. Dolly fired the ball out to Kerr who displayed brilliant determination to ground the ball, despite three defenders trying to hold him up. Dolly added the conversion in the 79th minute and Donny kicked the ball out after the kick off. 

Final score, Edinburgh 33 – 43 Doncaster Knights. 

Special mention to our Academy Player Lonny Fenton for making his first team debut during today’s match! 

Edinburgh will make the return journey to Castle Park next week for the second half of our pre season double header. It’s set to be a cracker after today’s try-fest! 

Secure your tickets NOW! 

Friday 26th September, 7PM KO, Castle Park. 

1.Andrew Turner, 2. Fred Davies, 3.Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Josh Bainbridge, 7. Rhys Tait (C) 8. Thom Smith, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Adian Cross, 12. Zach Kerr, 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Matt McNab, 15. Ryan Olowofela

16. George Roberts, 17. Jasper McGuire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Adam Hopkinson, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Ben Chapman, 22. Alex Dolly, 23. Russell Bennett, 24. Lonny Fenton, 25. Jordan Olowofela, 26. Josh Williams. 

Connectus Business Solutions, a leading Business Managed Services Partner based in Doncaster, has signed a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with Doncaster Knights.

The agreement will see the company extend their partnership through to the  end of the 2027/28 season.

The company has become a familiar presence in the region’s sporting and business landscape.

And it now boasts a long-standing association with the Knights which reflects Connectus’ wider commitment to local communities and regional sporting initiatives.

Roy Shelton, Group CEO of Connectus, said: “Everyone at Connectus is very excited and proud to be extending and renewing our support for Doncaster Knights. Our commitment to supporting and building great teams is at the heart of what we do at Connectus, an ethos echoed by the hard work of everyone on and off the pitch at Knights. We look forward to many days at Castle Park, cheering on the team alongside our clients, partners and colleagues.”

Roy also shares a long-standing personal connection with the club, having played rugby at Castle Park in the 1990s and helped in the construction of the clubhouse during its early development. His ongoing support reflects a genuine commitment to the club’s progress and the local sporting community.

The club has also welcomed the continued partnership. Tracey Owen, Head of Commercial, Doncaster Knights, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Roy Shelton and Connectus Business Solutions have extended their sponsorship of Doncaster Knights over the next 3 seasons. Their long-term commitment and extension to the main front of shirt sponsors demonstrates their confidence in our ambitions to progress Doncaster Knights both on and off the pitch.

“With the Knights’ values linking closely to Connectus of teamwork, respect and enjoyment, their support of the local community and businesses comes at an exciting time with the launch of the Champ League. We are looking forward to working with Roy and his team over the next 3 years and welcoming him, his clients and staff to Doncaster Knights.”

The latest agreement sees Connectus take on an expanded role as the club’s principal shirt sponsor, building on previous support and formalising its involvement with key fixtures and campaigns. This season, Connectus will serve as the club’s principal shirt sponsor and extend its support to include sponsorship of Head Coach Darren Fearn. The partnership also includes a wider calendar of events and initiatives, with Connectus backing several key moments in the Knights’ upcoming season.

Connectus are sponsoring the Knights v Edinburgh ‘A’ pre season friendly on Friday 26th September, KO 7pm and the Knights Start of Season Sponsors Lunch, which will take place in October. They are further showing their support with sponsorship of Knights v Caldy on Saturday 3rd January 2026, as part of a wider and club-endorsed activities.

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their very first Doncaster Knights side to face Edinburgh away, on Friday 19th September. 

This fixture marks the first in a home and away double header with the Scottish outfit. After tomorrow’s game, Edinburgh will make the return journey to Castle Park on Friday 26th September. 

For tomorrow’s game, Andrew Turner and Joe Jones are named as the starting props, with Fred Davies at Hooker. Or Second Row is made up of returning player Ehize Ehizode and new signing Morgan Jones. 

In the back row, our very own Scot, Rhys Tait earns the captaincy and number 7 shirt, with Josh Bainbridge named at 6 and Thom Smith our number eight. 

The replacement props are Jasper McGuire and Lewis Thiede, with George Roberts the reserve Hooker. Adam Hopkinson, East Timor Viliamu, Ben Chapman and Josh Williams will also get chance to make impact from the bench. 

In the backs, Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting will be pulling the strings at 9 and 10, with Zach Kerr and Joe Margetts supporting them from the centre. 

Our back three is made up of Aidan Cross and Matt Mcnab on the wing, with Ryan Olowofela at full back. 

On the bench, we have Alex Dolly and Russell Bennett at half back. With Academy player Lonny Fenton being given the opportunity to earn his first team debut. Jordan Olowofela is the remaining back on the bench. 

1.Andrew Turner, 2. Fred Davies, 3.Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Josh Bainbridge, 7. Rhys Tait (C) 8. Thom Smith, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Adian Cross, 12. Zach Kerr, 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Matt McNab, 15. Ryan Olowofela

16. George Roberts, 17. Jasper McGuire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Adam Hopkinson, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Ben Chapman, 22. Alex Dolly, 23. Russell Bennett, 24. Lonny Fenton, 25. Jordan Olowofela, 26. Josh Williams. 

This game against Edinburgh will be live-streamed and can be accessed HERE!

You can secure your ticket to next week’s return fixture at Castle Park NOW! Or, grab a season ticket to get the Edinburgh game at the best value, with all 13 Champ games included. 

SEASON TICKETS!

Doncaster Knights Home and Away kit for the upcoming season has officially launched! 

All replica shirts are available for purchase RIGHT NOW on our online shop. 

The club shop is stocked and ready to open for our pre season fixture against Edinburgh on Friday 26th September. 

Shop online now!