Doncaster Knights are delighted to announce the signing of Back Row, Josh Bainbridge from Newcastle Falcons.

Yorkshire born Bainbridge was raised in the North East and played his junior rugby with Middlesbrough and Guisborough, before representing Yorkshire Carnegie. During his time with the Carnegie he earned England honours at Under-17s, 18s, 19s and 20s levels.

His professional career has seen him starring for Leeds, Jersey and Coventry, the last of which, he made 45 appearances for before stepping up to the top flight. Joining Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2023.

Josh’s first season with the Falcons in 2023-24 saw him making eight competitive appearances. 

Doncaster Knights are very excited to see the 29-year-old powerful back rower put on the blue and red stripes next season. 

Forwards Coach Darren Fearn said:

“It’s brilliant Bambi will be coming home to Yorkshire. He is going to add a lot to our group, his skill set fits the way we play and he’s game to go toe to toe with anyone. We had an honest chat over coffee, his eyes lit up when we discussed the vision and why we wanted him to join Doncaster.” 

Head of recruitment Matt Harland said:

“Bambi is someone I’ve watched for a number of years in the Champ and most recently in the Premiership. I’ve always wanted clubs I’ve been at in the past to sign him. So for him to sign with Doncaster is unbelievable news. Bambi is exactly what you want from your back row. Hard hitting and hard working, he sums up what you get from a Yorkshire man. He will also add leadership to what is already becoming a very dominant forward crew.”

Doncaster Knights displayed a very impressive final home game of the season during Doncaster’s 150th anniversary celebrations, excelling to a 35-15 win over Cornish Pirates.

Both teams put up an incredible fight as the first 25 minuites were scoreless. Eventually, Cornish Pirates opted to take the three points and go 0-3 up. 

But, moments later Telusa Veainu answered back with an impressive solo try, dancing around a handful of Pirates to run it in from over half way. 5-3. 

The Knights extended the lead again as Adam Hopkinson threw a long ball out to Russell Bennett who then carried into contact while offloading to Rokoduguni. Roko beat the final defender to go the rest of the way. 10-3. 

Archie Smeaton then added one more try before half time. Zach Kerr ran a hard line before disributing the ball out wide for Smeaton to power over in the corner. Alex Dolly added the extras, leaving the half time score 17-3. 

Logovi’i Mulipola began the second half on a positive note as he secured the bonus point. The Knights powered the driving maul over the line and Logo grounded it. 22-3. 

The Knights then spent a big period of time defending on the try line. It was a superb display of determination as the Knights stopped Pirates’ driving maul and re-gained possesion with a fantastic counter ruck. 

Donny then made their way down the other end of the pitch and Rhys Tait delayed his pass to Jordan Olowofela, opening up the space for Olowofela to run the try in. 27-3. 

Cornish Pirates then finally got themselves a try as winger, Matt McNab stretched the ball over in the corner, 27-8. 

The forwards played their part with a brilliant scrum penalty, allowing Bennett to kick for three, 30-8. 

Olowofela claimed his second score of the day thanks to a perfect kick from Ollie Fox. The Knights were on the counter attack and Fox spotted nobody in the back field, he put boot to ball and Olowofela showed his impressive pace to dot it over the line. 35-8. 

Cornish Pirates then snatched a convereted try with the clock in the red, leaving the full time score 35-15. 

Telusa Veainu was awarded player of the match. 

Next weekend, Doncaster look to protect their third place spot as they travel to Ampthill for the final game of the season. 

Club President, Steve Lloyd and Club Chairman, Tony De Mulder were awarded Tankards at the Rugby Union Writer’s Club annual lunch. The award was presented to the pair to honour their ‘extraordinary contributions to the game’. 

Both Steve and Tony have been invovled as players and benefactors at Doncaster Rugby Club for 50+ years. Supporting the club through thick and thin and dedicating hours of their time to help drive the standards of the club, both on and off the pitch. 

They have contributed massively to building our legacy as the only professional rugby union club in Yorkshire and continue to fly the flag for growing the sport in this part of the country.

Everyone at Doncaster Knights would like to extend a huge congratulations to our Chair and President on a very well deserved award. 

And a big thank you to our local journalist and rugby writer, Guy Williams for nominating and inviting the duo.

Picture info: 

Steve and Tony pictured with the other tankard winners:

Matt Riley with his record 457 games played for Sedgley Tigers Rugby Club, he retires holding the record for most appearances for a single club in either England or France in the pro era

Deborah Griffin the founder of the Rugby Football Union for Women in 1983, chair of the first women’s Rugby Wrold Cup in 1991, and the first female RFU President in 2025.

Cai Griffiths who has guided London Welsh to an 83% win rate over seven seasons gaining five promotions taking the great club back to the National leagues.

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their team to face Cornish Pirates in the last home game of the season. 

Logovi’i Mulipola takes the starting shirt this week, and is joined in the Front Row by Joe Jones, who is set to return from a hand injury. George Roberts will be between them at hooker. 

Our replacement front row consists of Andrew Turner and Lewis Thiede. With Fred Davies the replacement hooker. 

In the second row, Captain Ben Murphy pairs with Adam Hopkinson. Our back row will consist of Archie Smeaton, Rhys Tait and Morgan Strong. 

The remaing forwards on the bench are Jasper McGuire and Ben Chapman. 

Unchanged half backs yet again as Alex Dolly and Russell Bennett partner up at 9 and 10. The remainder of the back line is Jordan Olowofela, Zach Kerr, Obi Ene, Semesa Rokoduguni and Telusa Veainu. 

Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting are set to replace the half backs, will Will Parry the remaining back on the bench. 

The Knights will look to make it eleven wins on the bounce in front of a big home crowd as the Knights celebrate 150years. 

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Starting XV | 15, Telusa Veainu. 14, Semesa Rokduguni. 13, Obi Ene 12, Zach Kerr. 11, Jordan Olowofela. 10, Russell Bennett. 9, Alex Dolly. 1, Logovi’i Mulipola. 2, George Roberts. 3, Joe Jones. 4, Ben Murphy (C). 5, Adam Hopkinson. 6, Archie Smeaton. 7, Rhys Tait. 8, Morgan Strong.

Replacements | 16, Fred Davies. 17, Andrew Turner. 18, Lewis Thiede. 19, Jasper McGuire. 20, Ben Chapman. 21, Ollie Fox. 22, Morgan Bunting. 23, Will Parry.

Unavailable For Selection | Thom Smith, Harry Davey, Maliq Holden, Connor Edwards, Aidan Cross. 

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that Jordan Olowofela has re-signed, AND his twin brother Ryan Olowofela has signed for next season.

RYAN OLOWOFELA: 

Ryan Olowofela is the first NEW signing to be announced for Doncaster Knights 2025/26 season, and the club is extremely excited about the prospect of having Ryan join.

Ryan began his career in the Leicester Tigers’ Academy alongisde Jordan, before turning his attention to Sevens rugby. Ryan compeated in 7s at an international level, making his England debut at the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series in Moscow in 2017, he progressed onto the World Series the following year. The 2018/19 season saw Olowofela score 15 tries in 39 matches for England, and hit 64 Sevens caps overall before linking up with Premiership club, Northampton Saints at the end of that campaign.

In 2022, Ryan joined Jersey Reds, where he played a season before moving to Nottingham rugby. This season, he is currently joint top try scorer at Nottingham, having scored 11. 

We are delighted that Ryan will be joining us next season and look forward to seeing him wear the blue and red stripes alongside his brother. 

Head of recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“Watching Ryan from a distance and close up this year we’ve seen what an exceptional player he is, he’s made try scoring look easy at times this season. We are really lucky to have managed to capture Ryan alongside his brother, as we know there will have been a number of teams chasing his signature. Ryan signing shows the ambition of the club and the exciting brand of rugby we want to play.”

JORDAN OLOWOFELA:

Born in Hull, Jordan Olowofela kicked off his professional career at 19-years-old with Leicester Tigers. 

While registered with Tigers, Jordan played for Loughborough Students, who were in National League 1 during his tenure from 2016-2018. After this stint, he became more of a regular member of the Leicester first team squad. 

In 2018, Olowofela had an exciting year with the England U20s squad, as he was called up to represent his nation in the Six Nations and World Cup, scoring for them on many occasions in both tournaments, including twice in the World Cup final against France, which they came runners-up in.

After all the effects of COVID-19, Jordan spent a short loan at Super Rugby Pacific team Western Force, where he honed in on his rugby skills, and another loan the following season at Newport Dragons. 

In 2022 Jordam stayed fairly local and joined fellow championship side, Nottingham, where he played a season before moving here to Doncaster Knights this season. Jordan’s first season at Doncaster has been very impressive, scoring 19 tries for the club and consistantly showing excellent speed and skill. We are delighted to have Jordan with us again. 

Head of recruitment Matt Harland said: 

“Jordan has shown this year what a quality player and finisher he is, so to have him re-sign is a real statement for the club. Considering he missed a few weeks through injury and to still be the top try scorer shows what a year he’s had. We are delighted to have him for another year and to continue that form into next season.”

End of Season Awards Update

Due to unforseen circumstances Doncaster Knights end of season Awards evening will now be on Tuesday 27th of May.

As originally planned, players will still join the fans in the concourse after the Doncaster Knights v Cornish Pirates game for drinks, selfies and end of season celebrations. 

As a result of this change, the club would like to offer up to 50 FREE spaces at the awards evening to fans, this will include a meal. 

The night will begin at 7pm. 

If you would like to attened, the 50 free spaces will be first come first serve and you must email [email protected] to request some.

Maximum two spaces per season ticket holder. 

Timeline of events for Saturday’s 150th Anniversary Fixture against Cornish Pirates! 

As shared yesterday, the Doncaster Knights first team will be sporting a brand new 150th Anniversary Heratige Kit during our fixture against Cornish Pirates.

There will also be a Limited Edition Retail Replica available to pre-order, as seen in the photo above! 

On Saturday, we will have one of every size available in the club shop for fans to try on. You will then be able to pre-order the size you like and pay for your shirt.

The last available day to order a shirt will be Friday 30th of May, this is to ensure that all shirts will be available for collection at the club in the first week of July. 

If you wish to pre-order after Saturday’s match day, you can come to the club during weekday office hours (9-4). 

Please note, the shirts will be collection only and customers will be notified when they have arrived at the club. 

PRICE: £60

Please note: due to the product being limited edition, season ticket 10% discount will NOT apply. 

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that prop, Lewis Thiede has re-signed for next season.

Doncaster-born, Lewis Thiede, began his junior rugby at Doncaster mini junior U7s and worked his way through the ranks, before being promoted to the Knights academy in May 2008. Developing his skills here, he then signed for ex-Premiership club Wasps RFC in 2011.

At the end of the 2012/13 season, Lewis remained in London and joined fellow Championship club, London Scottish. After a season there, he headed back to South Yorkshire, and joined Rotherham Titans who were also playing in the Championship at the time. Two seasons there, and another move was on the cards to newly promoted Ealing Trailfinders, Thiede really came into his own in West London, and even helped the team win the British and Irish Cup in his final season in 2017/18.

Lewis earned himself a bumper deal, signing for newly promoted Bristol Bears at the age of 28, and had an exciting two seasons at the West Country club, and even won the European Challenge Cup with the Bears in his final season.

Lewis returned to Ealing in 2020 in order to be closer to family in London, and stayed with the club for three more seasons, playing just under 100 times for the Trailfinders. In the 2021/22 season, Lewis had an incredibly successful season, helping his side win the Championship title and cup, and individually, he was named in the Championship Team of the Season.

Lewis then returned to the Knights for the 2023/24 season, donning the Blue for the first time in 12 years, he is now well on his way to reaching the big 100 next season.

Forwards coach Darren Fearn said:

“I am really happy Thiedey is staying with us next season. His experience is important to us, especially in the set piece, this is also the case off the field, where he adds great value. Playing for Doncaster means a lot to Theidey, he is a Doncaster lad, who started his career here and it’s great he will continue to be part of this group.” 

This weekend will be Doncaster Knights 250th Anniversary fixture! The team will go head to head with Cornish Pirates. 

A brand new 150th anniversary shirt will be worn and YOU can purcahse a match worn shirt for £100!

The following numbers are still Available:

-16

-17

-20

-22

To put your name down for a number, email [email protected] 

Please be aware this will opperate on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis.