Doncaster Knights can now confirm the latest on an injury to Prop, Drew Turner.
Drew sustained a hamstring injury during training earlier this week. Further assessment and imaging has shown a significant hamstring injury, requiring surgery. This will unfortunately rule Drew out unitl April, where he will work closely with the medical and performance team throughout this time period.
Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.
Doncaster Knights can now provide an update on the current players unavailable for selection to to injury.
Alex Dolly (Adductor)- expected return late January.
Thom Smith (Knee)- undergoing surgery. Expected return next season.
Drew Turner (Hamstring)- undergoing surgery. Expected return April.
Adam Hopkison (shoulder)- re integrating into training. Expected return end of Novemver
Josh Bainbridge (Heel)- Expected return end of November
(Sponsored by Andy and Rita Bishop)
Telusa Veianu (Hamstring)- return to be confirmed
Semesa Rokoduguni – return to be confirmed
Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to face Chinnor on Friday night.
George Roberts is set to become the newest member of our Doncaster Knights centurions, claiming the number 2 shirt for his 100th appearance. Logovi’i Mulipola moves into the starting line up to start beside the hooker, with Joe Jones keeping the tight head spot.
Our second row remains unchanged with Morgan Jones and Ehize Ehizode. Captain Ben Murphy remains in the back row with Rhys Tait on the other Flank. Jasper McGuire keeps the number eight shirt for another week.
Fred Davies is the replacement hooker, with Lewis Thiede and Conor Davidson the spare props for the night. Forwards, East Timor Viliamu and Ben Chapman are also named amongst the replacements.
In the back line, Russell Bennett shifts to the centres, making way for Morgan Bunting at 10. Ollie Fox remains the starting scrum half, and Joe Margetts comes into the starting team to join Bennett in the centres.
Double trouble in the back three as both the Olowofela twins are named, Jordan at full back and Ryan the right wing. Matt McNab also comes back into the team to fill the left wing.
Scrum half Will Wootton is named at 21, with backs Zach Kerr and Aidan Cross also named on the bench.
SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Ben Murphy, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Jasper McGuire, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Matt McNab, 12. Russell Bennett 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Ryan Olowofela, 15. Jordan Olowofela
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. East Timor Viliamu, 20. Ben Chapman, 21. Will Wootton, 22. Zach Kerr, 23. Aidan Cross.
Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Adam Hopkinson, Josh Bainbridge, Andrew Turner, Josh Williams (Playing for UK Forces), Semesa Rokoduguni (Playing for UK Forces), Telusa Veainu.
Click here for a full injury update on our unavailable players.
Doncaster Knights hooker George Roberts has been named as the starting hooker for this week’s Friday night clash with Chinnor. This weekend will mark a special milestone for him as he is set to make his 100th appearance for the club.
Now in his sixth season at Castle Park, Roberts’ achievement is a testament to his consistency, commitment, and the bond he’s forged with his teammates and the Knights’ faithful.
“Obviously it’s my sixth season at the club now, so it’s a pretty special thing,” George said, “It’s the people I’ve met at the club over the years. The times we’ve had, some of the games are really memorable to me. But no, it’s pretty special. Especially for my family who have followed me around the country.”
“Like most people in the Champ, it was only meant to be one year, see what happens,” he smiled. “But now I’m looking down the barrel of my sixth year. I clearly enjoyed something!”
Reaching this milestone is always a big moment for any player, but for Roberts, doing it with this particular group makes it even more meaningful.
“It would be pretty big with any squad I’d have achieved it with, but this one, it’s pretty special,” he said. “It’s probably the first year where more than ten people have re-signed. I think 20-something re-signed this year, so the group’s getting even tighter and hopefully we build on that into the season now.”
Looking back on his time at Castle Park, Roberts is quick to recognise the players who have shared the journey.
“Obviously there’s a few players that have stuck from the start, Ben Murphy, Connor Edwards, Conor Davidson, my housemate Rhys,” he said. “My housemates over the years, Will Holling, Billy McBryde, there’s too many to count, but I’m sure they all know it and I’m grateful for them.”
Roberts reflected on some of his highlights during his time at the club: “I can’t remember the year of doing the double over Ealing, but that was pretty big. I enjoyed that one,” he recalled. “Then off the field, some of the holidays we’ve been on, I’m sure there’s a few memories, but I won’t mention them all!”, he joked.
Roberts’ century will come in front of the Knights’ home supporters, something he describes as hugely important.
“It’s huge,” he said. “They’ve been massive for us this season. It’s only growing as well, which is massive for us. The players feel it as well. I just hope more and more people come and make it, not just for this Friday night, but for the season going forward.”
As George Roberts prepares to pull on the Knights jersey for the 100th time, everyone at the club congratulates him on a fantastic achievement, and thanks him for his continued commitment to the badge.
Doncaster Knights are pleased to announce the addition of loan signing, Connor Hancock from Newcastle Red Bulls.
Hancock is a loose-head prop that joined Newcastle in the summer of 2024 alongside twin brother and fellow prop, Callum, having graduated from a sports coaching degree.
He completed their studies at Leeds Beckett University, where he and his twin brother won more than 100 scrum penalties during the 2023-24 season.
Connor was named in the BUCS Super Rugby Team of the Season for 2023-24 and played for England Students in the spring of 2024 against French Universities before signing full-time with Newcastle.
Born and raised in Sheffield, Connor played his junior rugby for Dinnington RFC before moving to Bishop Burton College, being involved with Yorkshire’s academy prior to moving on to university at Leeds Beckett.
Connor’s debut season for Newcastle in 2024-25 saw him making two senior appearances.
We are delighted to have Connor join the Knights as we head into month two of the CHAMP season.
Doncaster Knights supporters have organised an away bus for our away game against Ealing Trailfinders.
Cost of a place on the coach is £30 per person. Booking with Buckleys will be done by Monday (10th) so please text John Lowe for a space before 9am on that day.
The match kicks off at 3pm so the coach will leave Buckley’s garage in Blaxton at 9am and, after all the usual pickups in Auckley, Branton, Cantley and Armthorpe, should arrive at Castle Park at around 9.30am.
From there it will proceed along Balby Road for a pick-up opposite the Winning Post before heading south on the A(1) M. If you are leaving your car at the club please leave it on the limestone car park.
The coach will leave Ealing for the return journey as soon as possible after the final whistle please.
Please text John Lowe on 079 7711 2706 to reserve your seat.
Doncaster Knights are proud to announce that Semesa Rokoduguni and Josh Williams will be representing the UK Armed Forces Rugby Union in their remembrance fixture against Germany this evening.
The annual match is a special occasion in the rugby calendar, honouring the service and sacrifice of the military personnel past and present. Rokoduguni, a former British Army Soldier and International, and Williams, who serves in the Navy Marines, will don the combined UKAF colours as they take to the field in this commemorative game.
The fixture not only celebrates the string bond between the rugby and the military, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the values both communities share, courage, respect and camaraderie.
Everyone at Doncaster Knigths wishes Rokoduguni and Williams the very best as they represent both the UK armed forces and Doncaster Knights with pride.
You can watch the game live on YouTube at the UKAFRugby account.
Doncaster Knights battle hard in Bedford but come away with just a losing bonus point after a 36-32 defeat.
Ryan Olowofela opened the scores early on as the forwards perfectly executed the line out and moved the ball to Jasper McGuire. McGuire popped the ball backwards and the backs opened up the gap for Olowofela to fly through. Bennett added the extras. 0-3.
Moments later the Knights extended their lead as Bedford are penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. Bennett comfortably slotted the three, 0-10.
The hosts’ poor discipline continued as another penalty meant Bennett could kick the Knights into the 22. The ball is stretched out wide and Rokoduguni carried hard up the wing, bumping off multiple blues on his way. Telusa Veainu received the pass before drawing in the final defender and offloading back inside to a supporting Ollie Fox. 0-15.
Bedford worked their way into the opposition half, and the Knights did a good job of defending their maul on the line. As a result the hosts were forced to ship the ball out to the backs, and Dean Adamson sliced through a gap to go over. Conversion added. 7-15.
A yellow card for the Knights then caused a big momentum shift as Bedford claimed three tries in quick succession. Using the overlap to their advantage, the first two tries came from the back line shipping the ball between them, with the final try before half time a result of an Adamson chip and chase.
Two out of the three tries were converted, meaning the half time score was 26-15.
The Knights were quick out the blocks in the second half. A perfectly executed line out led to George Roberts driving his way over the line. 26-20.
Joe Margetts, Telusa Veainu and Ollie Fox moved the ball nicely between themselves to bring the Knights up to the 22. The Knights then began chipping away at the try line to look for another score. Bennett was the man to finish the job as he carried hard into contact and stretched the ball over the line. He added the extras to his own score. 26-25.
Doncaster looked bright as they made their way straight back down to the try line, but just as they looked to be heading for another score, Bedford intercepted the ball to go the full length. Conversion successful, 36-27.
Rokoduguni turned the ball over at the breakdown to give Doncaster one final chance to attack. Zach Kerr then showed fantastic pace and skill with a real solo effort up the pitch. He swerved round a handful of Bedford players to bring Donny close to the line before finding Ben Chapman out wide. Chapman finished the job in the corner.
Full time score 36-32.
The Knights now turn their attention to a Friday night at castle Park where we face Chinnor.
Doncaster Knights players were joined by representatives from Support Dogs on Thursday 30th October.
Knights were joined by guest speaker Tess Thompson, alongside dog handler Trevor and special guest trainee support dog Lilly.
The event was organised by the Knights Rotary Club, a charity set up to support local causes and build business relationships across Doncaster. The rotary club regularly organise fundraisers that support our own Doncaster Knights Foundation, as well as undertaking various business visits and other initiatives. The Support Dogs is the chosen charity for the Knights Rotary Club for the 2025 calendar year.
Support Dogs is a charity training autism assistance dogs, epilepsy seizure alert dogs and disability assistance dogs for those affected by a wide range of physical conditions including MS, Cerebral Palsy, fibromyalgia, and more.
For more information about Support Dogs click here.
Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to travel to Bedford tomorrow night.
Minimal changes to the squad this week, particularly with the starting forwards pack. Ehize Ehizode returns to the starting team to replace Josh Williams, who shifts to the bench. Our front row remains the same, Conor Davidson, George Roberts and Joe Jones.
Morgan Jones is the second row beside Ehizode, with Rhys Tait, Ben Murphy (C) and Jasper McGuire the back row behind them.
Ben Chapman keeps the replacement hooker shirt after making a big impact last week against Worcester. Andrew Turner and Logovi’i Mulipola remain the replacement props with East Timor Viliamu returning to the squad to cover the back row.
Our half backs remain unchanged as Ollie Fox and Russell Bennett wear 9 and 10. The centre partnership also stays the same, Connor Edwards and Zach Kerr.
The only change in the back three is a straight swap of the twins – Ryan Olowofela comes in to replace Jordan Olowofela at 11. Linking up with Telusa Veainu at full back and Semesa Rokoduguni on the other wing.
Will Wootton and Morgan Bunting are the replacement half backs, with Joe Margetts the utility back on the bench.
SQUAD: 1. Conor Davidson, 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Ben Murphy, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Jasper McGuire, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Ryan Olowofela, 12. Connor Edwards 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Telusa Veainu
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Ben Chapman, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Logovi’i Mulipola, 19. Josh Williams, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Will Wootton, 22. Morgan Bunting, 23. Joe Margetts.
Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Adam Hopkinson, Josh Bainbridge
