Knights Sign Back Row Archie Smeaton

7th June 2023

The club are thrilled to announce the signing of back row Archie Smeaton ahead of the 2023/24 season. 

Archie joins the Knights from United Rugby Championship side Glasgow Warriors, for whom he was an Academy player.

Discussing Archie’s signing for the Knights, Head Coach Steve Boden said: “Archie is someone that we know slightly as I coached him in short spells when I was Head Coach at Yorkshire Carnegie. He’s always had a lot of potential from a young age, and we’ve tracked him ever since.

“He’s gone and got his education, and now he’s ready to put his foot down in professional rugby – a brief spell up at Glasgow has given him a taste of it.

“We feel like Archie’s physicality, and his size in the back row, can be a huge benefit to us. He’s got a long way to go and a lot to learn, as he’s only young, but we’re excited to see how he can grow.

“And a big positive for us is that he’s a Yorkshire-born player coming back to the county, which is huge for us as we want people who want to represent the club and if they’re Yorkshiremen, it really adds to their pride in representing the Doncaster badge.”

Born in Cottingham, Archie previously studied at Cambridge University where he represented the prestigious CURUFC’s light blue and white hooped shirt as part of the university’s rugby team.

Moving up to Scotland following his degree, Archie became a part of the Glasgow Warriors Academy for the 2022/23 season and whilst there, he represented Scotland at the 2021 U20 Six Nations.

Having signed for the Knights, the 22 year old back rower is looking forward to going back to his roots.

“I grew up not far away from Doncaster and used to play against their Mini Juniors teams. They’re usually challenging for the top spots in the Championship and that’s something I want to be a part of.”

We look forward to seeing what Archie can bring to the Knights throughout 2023/24.

As Archie is an incoming player, there are player sponsorship opportunities available. Please email l.higgins@castle-park.co.uk for more information.