TEAM NEWS: Knights named to face Nottingham

2nd October 2025

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their first CHAMP line up of the season. The team will make the short journey to Nottingham for a Friday night Champ opener. 

Thom Smith starts at number eight for what is set to be his 50th club appearance. Everyone at the club extends a huge congratulations to the back row, a key presence amongst our squad.

 

In the front row, Logovi’i Mulipola takes the loosehead side, with Joe Jones at tighthead. George Roberts starts between them at hooker.

In the second row, captain Ben Murphy is joined by Morgan Jones, making his Champ debut. Josh Bainbridge and Rhys Tait make up the rest of the back row, alongside Smith at 8. 

Our replacement front row is Conor Davidson, Lewis Thiede and Fred Davies. With East Timor Viliamu and Ehize Ehizode the other forwards named in the squad. 

Our backline starts with Ollie Fox at 9, and Russell Bennett at 10. Sale Sharks loan player, Will Wootton is our replacement 9, and Morgan Bunting is set to replace Bennett. 

Zach Kerr and Joe Margetts link up in the centre, with Semesa Rokoduguni shifting back out to the wing. Ex-Nottingham player Ryan Olowofela starts on the other wing, with Telusa Veainu at full back. Matt McNab is our utility back amongst the replacements. 

 

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola, 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ben Murphy (C), 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Josh Bainbridge, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Thom Smith, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Russell Bennett, 11. Ryan Olowofela, 12. Zach Kerr, 13. Joe Margetts, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Telusa Veainu

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fred Davies, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Ehize Ehizode, 20. East Timor Viliamu, 21. Will Wootton, 22. Morgan Bunting, 23. Matt McNab 

You can watch the game live on clubbertv.co.uk or secure your ticket to the Knights next home game! 

Doncaster Knights v Cambridge Rugby, Saturday 11th October – 2:30PM