Knights Sign Tighthead Prop Lewis Thiede
10th July 2023
The club are thrilled to announce the signing of tighthead prop Lewis Thiede ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Lewis joins the Knights from Championship competition, Ealing Trailfinders, having first been a Knight back in 2008.
Discussing Lewis’ returning to the Knights after 12 years, Head Coach Steve Boden said: “We’re excited to have Lewis back at the Knights. He’s got a lot of experience – he’s gone off and been in some really top-class environments – so I think it’s great that he’s coming back to put something back into the club.
“It’s funny watching him now in his role as the experienced guy nurturing some of the younger players as, obviously, the roles were reversed all those years ago when he was the young guy coming through when I was still playing.
“He’s been fantastic since he’s come in. As a bloke, he’s been great in the environment – being a great teammate amongst the squad – and he’s worked very hard. We’re really pleased to have him back.”
Moving from Donny colours to those of Wasps in 2011, Lewis spent his time at the London club on dual registration with London Scottish, ultimately moving on a permanent basis to the Richmond Athletic Ground ahead of the 2013/14 season.
Making the switch to Ealing Trailfinders in 2016, Lewis made just shy of 100 appearances for Ealing in two stints for the club having moved to the Premiership with Bristol Bears for two years before returning to London and the Championshp in 2020.
Named in the Championship team of the season for 2021/22, whilst at Ealing Lewis won the British and Irish Cup in 2018, the Trailfinders Challenge Cup in 2021 as well as the Championship league and Championship Cup in 2021/22.
The 32-year-old returns to Doncaster as a strong scrummager looking to continue his set-piece strength amongst Steve Boden’s pack.
“It feels quite surreal to be returning to the Knights. To be back at the club where it all started for me. It feels like coming home – the first day back was lovely as there were so many familiar faces that I knew.
“I always envisioned coming back, but it just turned out that everything aligned so well that it happened to come about now.
“I truly believe we’re going to have a successful season and that’s another reason I joined – I honestly feel we’re going to do well as a club.”
We look forward to seeing what Lewis can bring to the Knights throughout 2023/24.
Lewis will be sponsored by PS Construction for the duration of the 2023/24 season – find out more about the business HERE.
