Doncaster Knights have named their team for Round 1 of the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup – their opening game of the season for which they welcome Cambridge to Castle Park.

Director of Rugby Steve Boden and Head Coach Joe Ford have named their first side with 3 debutants involved in the starting line-up and a further 6 to come off the bench.

The front row is one of experienced Knights with Conor Davidson at loosehead, Andrew Foster at tighthead and George Roberts – gaining his 50th appearance – between the two at hooker.

Adam Hopkinson, having graduated from the Knights Academy to a First Team contract in the summer, joins Ben Murphy in the second row.

The back row is full of new signings as Harry Wilson and Rhys Tait occupy the flanks with newly announced co-captain Jack Digby at eight.

The half-back duo is the settled and familiar pairing of Alex Dolly at scrum half and co-captain Sam Olver at fly-half.

Maliq Holden and George Simpson occupy the wings with summer signing AJ Cant behind the two at full-back. The centre partnership is another welcome sight for Knights fans as Connor Edwards starts alongside Joe Margetts.

On the bench, it’s a completely new-look replacement front row in the hands of hooker Harri Morris – on a season-long loan from Edinburgh Rugby – with summer signing props Harrison Courtney and Corrie Barrett.

Further forward replacement options come in the form of Ehize Ehizode with new signings Fyn Brown and Seb Nagle-Taylor.

New signing scrum half Ollie Fox and the familiar face of Harry Davey round out the bench as the back options.

Kick-off is at 19:30 at Castle Park on Friday, September 8, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 George Simpson, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Maliq Holden; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Roberts, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Adam Hopkinson, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Harry Wilson, 7 Rhys Tait, 8 Jack Digby.

Replacements | 16 Harri Morris, 17 Harrison Courtney, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Ehize Ehizode, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Harry Davey, 23 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

We are delighted to announce Sam Olver and Jack Digby have been named the 2023/24 Knights Co-Captains.

The experienced fly half and newly signed back rower will work together to lead the Knights squad through the season.

Discussing their selection, both players were delighted to take on the mantel.

Sam Olver: “I’m really excited to be co-captaining with Digger this year.

“Pre-season has filled me with a lot of confidence about this squad and it’s been really nice getting to know all the new lads.

“There’s a lot of players that we will be able to rely on in a leadership term as well, so that will make the job easier for us.”

Jack Digby: “I’m really excited to be taking on the role.

“Being new to the club, it’s been fantastic having not only Sam but other senior players to bounce ideas off and help the tea, prepare as best as possible.

“I feel everything is in place to have a really successful season and all I want is to be able to facilitate that as best I can, on and off the field.”

We’re excited to announce the Knights will be doing Zeeon for all programmes ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Zeeon is an extremely engaging platform and we look forward to seeing all the kinds of new and inspiring content we will be able to produce for our supporters and sponsors.

Will Biggs, Managing Director and Founder of Zeeon, is also thrilled about the prospect of working with the Knights.

He said: “We’re very excited to be working alongside Doncaster Knights in their matchday programmes for the 2023/24 season. We want to make it easier for fans to access match information, engage with squad lineups, and consume the club’s content.”

For more information on Zeeon, click HERE.

We are sad to announce that former First XV prop Terry Oades has passed away.

Terry played for the club in the 1960s. Also responsible for building and maintenance work on the old clubhouse, his efforts earned him a chain gang awards tie in 1988.

Our condolences go to his wife Shirley and his family at this sad time.

Terry’s funeral will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 30 at Everton Church to be followed by a private family burial.

We are excited to announce all Knights season ticket holders will receive free entry to all Doncaster Phoenix home games for the 2023/24 season.

All supporters will have to do is show their season ticket card (physical or digital) at the gate on Phoenix gamedays to gain their free entry to enjoy some great rugby at Castle Park.

Phoenix Chairman Dave Thomas said: “We look forward to welcoming Knights season ticket holders to our home games this season.

“We know a number of supporters are unable to travel to Knights’ away games, or there may be Saturdays when Phoenix are the only team playing locally – so please get along and cheer us on.”

We hope our supporters will take up this generous offer from Phoenix and give support to a great club, starting with their game against Sandal on Saturday, September 2.

Be sure to collect your physical season ticket from our reception at Castle Park (Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30) or digitally download it to make the most of this offer.

We are pleased to confirm 2023/24 season tickets are now available for collection or digital download.

Make sure you are prepared for the beginning of the Knights new season on Friday, September 8 by collecting or downloading your card now.

For physical card collection:

Season ticket cards can now be collected from reception at Castle Park between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 every Monday to Friday.

For digital download:

You can now keep your ticket safe with our Knights’ Ticketing App (recommended to use a mobile device).

Click HERE, insert the email address with which you purchased your ticket and then click on ‘Forgot Credentials’.

You will then be sent an email to re-set your password.

Log into the app with your email address and new password.

Install the app onto your phone’s home screen.

Upon arrival at the ground for each home game, open your app to view your tickets and scan for entry to Castle Park.

If you have any queries or issues regarding your season ticket, please call the club on 01302 831388.

Doncaster Knights have named their large travelling squad for the friendly against RGC in North Wales ahead of the 2023/24 season.

DoR Steve Boden and Head Coach Joe Ford have named a starting 15 alongside a replacements bench of 17 players to ensure game-time for as many faces as possible.

The starting front row is formed by new signings Harrison Courtney and Corrie Barrett at loosehead and tighthead with the familiar face of George Roberts between the two at hooker.

Knights Academy graduate Adam Hopkinson has experienced Ben Murphy alongside him in the second row pairing.

The back row of all new signings then rounds out the pack with Harry Wilson and Fyn Brown on the flanks and Seb Nagle-Taylor at number eight.

Alex Dolly sits in his usual scrum half berth with Billy McBryde moving forward in the back-line to start at fly-half.

Knight Academy player Will Metcalfe mans the wing opposite Maliq Holden with new boy AJ Cant at fullback.

A slightly new centre pairing is tested as Connor Edwards has Harry Davey starting outside of him.

The bench is a large one – beginning with prop replacement options of Conor Davidson, Andrew Foster, Karl Garside and Knights Academy’s Calvin Mitchell.

Hooker replacements are new loan signing Harri Morris and Knights Academy’s Archie Upton.

The second row is covered by Ehize Ehizode, Evan Mintern and Knights Academy’s James Harrison.

Back row is then provided cover by Rhys Tait and new boys Jack Digby and Archie Smeaton.

Moving into the backs, Ollie Fox covers scrum half with Sam Olver and Knights Academy’s Tom Parkin ready to come on at fly half.

The replacements are then rounded out by Joe Margetts and loan signing Joe Bedlow.

Kick-off is at 17:15 at Stadiwm CSM on Saturday, Aug 19, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 Maliq Holden, 13 Harry Davey, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Will Metcalfe; 10 Billy McBryde, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Harrison Courtney, 2 George Roberts, 3 Corrie Barrett, 4 Adam Hopkinson, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Harry Wilson, 7 Fyn Brown, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Replacements | 16 Harri Morris, 17 Conor Davidson, 18 Andrew Foster, 19 Evan Mintern, 20 Ehize Ehizode, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Joe Margetts, 23 Archie Smeaton, Rhys Tait, Jack Digby, Tom Parkin, Sam Olver, Joe Bedlow, Calvin Mitchell, Karl Garside, James Harrison, Archie Upton.

We are delighted to officially launch our 1875 Club.

The 1875 Club is our newest hospitality offer for supporters looking to enhance their match day experience in a relaxed and social surrounding at Castle Park. 

With a delicious menu, superb pitch views and an electric atmosphere, our 1875 Club will be a fine choice for a matchday at Castle Park.

What’s included:

• Locally sourced, seasonal two-course meal
• Private cash bar
• Digital Matchday Programme & Teamsheet
• Complimentary Tea & Coffee
• Private Balcony View of the Pitch

Dress code: Informal, Club shirts welcome

Please note: You must have a match ticket for access.

You can make your upgrade now by clicking HERE.

We are proud to launch our playing kit for the 2023/24 season.

Brought to you by Umbro, we will be representing our colours and our Knights.

Our home shirt represents the proud Donny blue meanwhile, our away shirt takes a step away from the design of more recent years in favour of an aqua/turquoise design.

You can pre-order your replica shirt now HERE.

Doncaster Phoenix are hoping to make Thursday the new Friday at Castle Park this pre-season.

Start your weekend early in August as Doncaster Phoenix offer up some rugby fayre at Castle Park later this month in their pre-season friendlies.

On Thursday, August 24 the team play host to friends from Sheffield RUFC for a 7:30pm kick-off and the bar will be open.

On the following Thursday, August 31 – Phoenix invite you to the Phoenix and Demons Season Launch Evening.

Starting from 7pm in the Arms Park Suite come along for a beer or two, pick up fixture lists for the season, membership cards and meet some of the players and coaches.

The teams will also announce the winners of the Monthly Draw for August and there will be a welcome from new Phoenix club Chairman Dave Thomas.