Team News | Knights named for opening Championship game v Ampthill

20th September 2024

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their very first Championship match day squad of the season. Doncaster Knights face Ampthill at Castle Park on Saturday 21 September in round one.

The Knights are playing quite a different squad to the team that faced Bury St Edmunds during pre season. Alex Dolly moves back to his first choice position, scrum half after having a run out at fly half in August, with Ollie Fox as the replacement nine. Russ Bennett starts at fly half with local boy, Morgan Bunting on the bench. 

Zach Kerr is joined by Connor Edwards in the centre with Maliq Holden partnering Semesa Rokoduguni on the wing. Jordan Olowofela remains at full back. Harry Davey moves to the bench as back three replacement. 

In the pack, we see a brand new front row to the Bury fixture, with Logovi’i Mulipola and Joe Jones at prop and George Roberts in between as hooker. Captain Ben Murphy is paired with Thom Smith to make up the second row. 

Our back row however, remains the same as pre season. Archie Smeaton and Rhys Tait flank, with Morgan Strong at eight. 

Fred Davies, Andrew Turner and Lewis Thiede make up the front row replacements, while Taniela Ramasibana and Jasper McGuire will be ready to replace the second and back row.

Starting XV | 1. Logovi’i Mulipola, 2. George Roberts, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ben Murphy (C), 5. Thom Smith, 6. Archie Smeaton, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Morgan Strong, 9. Alex Dolly, 10. Russ Bennett, 11. Maliq Holden, 12. Connor Edwards, 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Jordan Olowofela

Replacements | 16. Fred Davies, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Taniela Ramasibana, 20. Jasper McGuire, 21. Ollie Fox, 22. Morgan Bunting, 23. Harry Davey

Injury news: Adam Hopkinson is out of contention due to a hand injury, with Josh Williams, Telusa Veainu, Cory Teague and George Wacokecoke unavailable due to match fitness.

Two of our new signings Morgan Strong and Ben Chapman have joined the Knights after spending last season with Ampthill.

Tickets for the fixture are available here!