Doncaster Knights

Rugby union club in South Yorkshire, England

For the Royal Flying Corps airfield, see RFC Doncaster.

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Rugby team

Doncaster Knights

Full name| Doncaster Knights Rugby Football Club
Union| Yorkshire RFU
Nickname(s)| Knights
Founded| 1875; 150 years ago (1875)
Location| Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
Ground(s)| Castle Park (Capacity: 5,000 (1,650 seated)
Director of Rugby| Ian McGeechan
Coach(es)| Darren Fearn
League(s)| Champ Rugby
2024–25| 3rd

Team kit

Official website
www.drfc.co.uk

Doncaster Knights Rugby Football Club (formerly, Doncaster RFC) are a professional rugby union club representing the city of Doncaster, England. The club play in the 2nd division of English rugby, Champ Rugby. Being the most promoted side in English history has led to huge changes at the Castle Park ground and within the team structure.

Castle Park Conference and Function centre is a multimillion-pound development and is among the top conference venues in Doncaster, while remaining a supportive place for amateur rugby union in the city. The club motto "rugby for all" sees amateur side Doncaster Phoenix compete at the same ground, as well as the ladies side Doncaster Demons and every age group from under-7 to under-17s.

## History

[edit]

The rise to National League One, from amateur status led to the rebranding of Doncaster RFC to Doncaster Knights for the 2006–07 season, and that season saw their highest placed finish to date under Clive Griffiths as Director of Rugby. In the same season, Doncaster also won the Yorkshire Cup.

After the departure of Griffiths to Worcester, the former Director of Rugby, Lynn Howells joined the club on the eve of the 2007–08 season. Justin Bishop, signed from London Irish, had acted as DOR during the pre-season.

Howells inspired the Knights to almost repeat the 3rd-place finish in his first season in charge, and has moulded the squad in his own image for the 2008–09 season. 9 January saw the opening of the new De Mulder-Lloyd Stand at Castle park, a £3 million state of the art 1650 seater stand. Driven by CEO James Criddle and funded by Tony De Mulder and Steve Lloyd this has seen Castle Park develop into undoubtedly the best rugby facility in South Yorkshire.

The home of the Knights, Castle Park, featured in and won "4 Weddings" and also hosted the Northern BBC TV news coverage for Remembrance Day during 2009 showing how for the operational side of the club has come supporting the on the pitch success.

The 2009–10 season saw the squad decimated by injuries, with no fewer than 15 unavailable players at one stage from a squad of 32. Despite this, and playing nine games in 27 days (of which they won eight) the Knights managed the semi-final of the British and Irish Cup and a promotion play-off finish. The result of the season being the defeat of Bristol at Castle Park, who like Leeds Carnegie before them underestimated the Knights as home.

The 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons were very average seasons with the Knights managing mid table status and avoiding the relegation playoffs with a reduction in playing budget meaning a shuffling of the pack which saw several long serving players move on to other clubs. The captures of the likes of Tristan Roberts and Paul Devlin hinted at a more creative side than the powerhouse forward game Doncaster are known for traditionally.

The 2012–13 season saw the Knights have a disappointing season with only three wins and a draw out of twenty two league matches and two wins from six in the British and Irish Cup competition which resulted in relegation (for the first time in Doncaster history) back to National League 1. One of the few highlights being a win over local rivals Leeds Carnegie 23–17 in February 2013.

For the 2013–14 season DOR Clive Griffiths signed a variety of new and returning players including Mat Clark, Paul Jarvis, Bevon Armitage, Roberto Santamaria and Bruno Bravo who would all feature as regulars in the coming season. The season looked to begin badly for the Knights as they were once again plagued by injuries particularly in the forwards but still with an intention to be the first team to secure promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. The Knights started strongly recording seven straight wins before losing away to Henley Hawks 11–10 [1] in a close fought game. The Knights campaign continued strongly at home although with away losses to Blaydon and Wharfedale they could not fully pull away from the following pack. With further signings during the year, such as former British Lion Darren Morris,[2] London Irish back row Danny Kenny,[3] Argentinian-Italian prop Santiago Sodini[4] and the return of former Knight Richard List from RC Narbonne[5] to bolster the injury prone team, the Knights continued to be the team to beat having been top of the table for the majority of the season.

In late March 2014 with only four games left to play of the season there were only two teams (Rosslyn Park & the Knights) left with the potential to win the league and with them due to meet on 29 March many believed that this could be the most important match of the season. The game resulted in a win for Rosslyn Park[6] and meant the Knights would need to win all three of their remaining matches to guarantee promotion. With a win over Wharfedale (57–17) at home to secure a 100% home win record for the season followed by away wins against Coventry (17–18) & Blackheath (20–38) the Knights secured promotion back to the Championship despite having lost one more game than Rosslyn Park (having achieved more bonus points to be three points clear).

During the 2013–14 season Tyson Lewis was the top try scorer for National League 1 with 22 tries and his teammate Mat Clark was equal second on 20 tries. Tyson also achieved Guinness World Record fame for "The fastest time to score a try in a rugby union match".[7] The try was scored direct from the opening kick off in 7.24 seconds (Doncaster Knights vs Old Albanians at Wollam Playing Fields, St Albans, UK, on 23 November 2013).

## Honours

[edit]

Doncaster Knights

* Yorkshire Cup winners (4): 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008
* North East 2 Champions: 1992–93
* North East 1 Champions: 1993–94
* North Division 2 champions: 1996–97
* North Division 1 champions: 1998–99
* National League 3 North champions: 2001–02
* National League 1 (formerly National Division 2) champions (2): 2004–05, 2013–14

[8]

Doncaster Phoenix (amateur side)

* Yorkshire 6 champions: 1999–00
* Yorkshire 1 champions: 2014–15
* North 1 East champions: 2015–16

## Current standings

[edit]

2025–26 Champ Rugby table  Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Ampthill | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Play-off
semi-finals
2  | Bedford Blues | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | Caldy | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Play-off
quarter-finals
4  | Cambridge | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
5  | Chinnor | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
6  | Cornish Pirates | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
7  | Coventry | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
8  | Doncaster Knights | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
9  | Ealing Trailfinders | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
10  | Hartpury University | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
11  | London Scottish | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
12  | Nottingham | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Relegation play-off
13  | Richmond | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
14  | Worcester Warriors | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Relegated

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Number of matches drawn
3. Difference between points for and against
4. Total number of points for
5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

## Current squad

[edit]

For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 RFU Championship transfers § Doncaster Knights.

The Doncaster Knights squad for the 2024–25 season.[9][a][b]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

Ben Chapman | Hooker |  England
Fred Davies | Hooker |  England
George Roberts | Hooker |  Wales
Archie Upton | Hooker |  England
Conor Davidson | Prop |  Australia
Joe Jones | Prop |  Wales
Jasper McGuire | Prop |  England
Calvin Mitchell | Prop |  England
Logovi'i Mulipola | Prop |  Samoa
Lewis Thiede | Prop |  England
Andrew Turner [b] | Prop |  England
James Harrison | Lock |  England
Adam Hopkinson | Lock |  England
Ben Murphy | Lock |  Wales
Cory Teague | Lock |  England
Josh Williams | Lock |  England
Arthur Green [a] | Back row |  England
Taniela Ramasibana | Back row |  Fiji
Archie Smeaton | Back row |  Scotland
Thom Smith | Back row |  England
Morgan Strong | Back row |  Wales
Rhys Tait | Back row |  Scotland
| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

Alex Dolly | Scrum-half |  Australia
Oliver Fox | Scrum-half |  England
Will Metcalfe | Scrum-half |  England
Russell Bennett | Fly-half |  England
Morgan Bunting | Fly-half |  England
Connor Edwards | Centre |  Wales
Zach Kerr | Centre |  Ireland
Will Parry [a] | Centre |  England
George Wacokecoke | Centre |  Fiji
Aidan Cross | Wing |  Scotland
Maliq Holden | Wing |  England
Harry Davey | Wing |  England
Semesa Rokoduguni | Wing |  England
Jordan Olowofela | Fullback |  England
Telusa Veainu | Fullback |  Tonga

1. ^ a b c Bath duo Arthur Green and Will Parry are on a season-long loan for the 2024-25 season.[10]
2. ^ a b Andrew Turner is on a season-long loan from Bristol Bears for the 2024-25 season.[11]

## Past performance

[edit]

Year | Tier | Division | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2023-24  | 2  | English Championship  | 20  | 11  | 1  | 8  | 509  | 529  | -20  | 9  | 2  | 57  | Finished 6th
2022–23  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 565 | 583 | -18 | 9 | 3 | 52 | Finished 6th
2021–22  | 2 | English Championship | 20* | 17 | 0 | 3 | 524 | 322 | 202 | 9 | 0 | 77 | Finished 2nd
2020–21  | 2 | English Championship | 10* | 8 | 0 | 2 | 236 | 225 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 36 | Finished 3rd
2019–20  | 2 | English Championship | 15* | 6 | 0 | 9 | 268 | 351 | -83 | 3 | 1 | 28 | Finished 10th on 36.84pts*
2018–19  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 546 | 617 | -71 | 6 | 4 | 42 | Finished 10th
2017–18  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 582 | 615 | -33 | 13 | 6 | 57 | Finished 7th
2016–17  | 2 | English Championship | 20* | 12 | 0 | 8 | 514 | 424 | 90 | 9 | 1 | 58 | Finished 4th
2015–16  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 588 | 470 | 118 | 10 | 5 | 79 | Finished 2nd
2014–15  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 429 | 481 | −52 | 3 | 6 | 43 | Finished 9th
2013–14  | 3 | National League 1 | 30 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 943 | 487 | 456 | 18 | 4 | 122 | Promoted to Championship as champions
2012–13  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 364 | 592 | −228 | 2 | 7 | 23 | Relegated to National League 1
2011–12  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 467 | 524 | −57 | 7 | 3 | 50 |
2010–11  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 572 | 576 | −4 | 7 | 8 | 51 |
2009–10  | 2 | English Championship | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 394 | 386 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 48 |
2008–09  | 2 | National 1 | 30 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 895 | 571 | 324 | 14 | 3 | 105 |
2007–08  | 2 | National 1 | 30 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 796 | 551 | 245 | 12 | 2 | 98 |
2006–07  | 2 | National 1 | 30 | 22 | 1 | 7 | 855 | 474 | 381 | 16 | 4 | 110 | 1st Season as Doncaster Knights
2005–06  | 2 | National 1 | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 555 | 699 | −144 | 5 | 5 | 52 |
2004–05  | 3 | National 2 | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 818 | 379 | 439 | 11 | 1 | 106 | Promoted to National 1 as champions
2003–04  | 3 | National 2 | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 692 | 487 | 205 | – | – | 34 |
2002–03  | 3 | National 2 | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 630 | 551 | 79 | – | – | 28 |
2001–02  | 4 | National 3 North | 26 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1074 | 357 | 717 | – | – | 50 | Promoted to National 2 as champions
2000–01  | 4 | National 3 North | 23 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 584 | 364 | 220 | – | – | 33 |
1999–2000  | 4 | National 2 North | 26 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 656 | 539 | 117 | – | – | 26 |
1998–99  | 5 | North 1 | 22 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 550 | 214 | 336 | – | – | 37 | Promoted to National 2 North as champions
1997–98  | 5 | North 1 | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 489 | 285 | 204 | – | – | 36 |
1996–97  | 6 | North 2 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 690 | 259 | 431 | – | – | 44 | Promoted to North 1 as champions
1995–96  | 6 | North 2 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 183 | 168 | 15 | – | – | 10 |
1994–95  | 6 | North 2 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 136 | 155 | −19 | – | – | 14 |
1993–94  | 7 | North East 1 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 232 | 70 | 162 | – | – | 22 | Promoted to North 2
1992–93  | 8 | North East 2 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 294 | 39 | 255 | – | – | 22 | Promoted to North East 1
1991–92  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1990–91  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1989–90  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1988–89  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1987–88  | 10 | Yorkshire 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

* 2016-17 \- Season shortened to 20 games due to London Welsh going into liquidation and being removed from the league by the RFU.
* 2019-20 \- Season cut short due to Covid pandemic and final positions were determined by a best playing record formulae. Doncaster were 9th on 28pts when season was suspended but finished 10th on 36.84pts after formula was applied and a 5pt deduction imposed for use of an unregistered agent.
* 2020-21 \- Season was truncated due to ongoing pandemic and teams only played each other once either home or away. London Scottish declined to participate due to pandemic costs so only 11 teams took part.
* 2021-22 \- Due to Saracens being promoted but no team being relegated from the Premiership the league consisted of 11 teams.
* 2023-24 \- Due to the financial collapse of Jersey Reds early in the season, the league was reduced to 11 and therefore, no promotion or demotion would occur. Chinnor RFC were promoted from National 1 and will play in the 2024–25 season.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Unbeaten run comes to an end for Knights at Henley". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
2. ^ "Former British Lion joins the Knights". www.thestar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
3. ^ "Back row Danny Kenny arrives from London Irish". www.thestar.co.uk.
4. ^ "Santiago arrives at the Castle". www.thestar.co.uk.
5. ^ "Return of Richard List". www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk.
6. ^ "Rosslyn Park 21 Doncaster Knights 18". www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk.
7. ^ "Fastest time to score a try in a rugby union match". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
8. ^ "History". www.drfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014.
9. ^ "1st XV Squad". Doncaster Knights. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
10. ^ "Doncaster recruit Bath duo on a season-long Championship loan". www.rugbypass.com. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
11. ^ Evely, John (28 June 2024). "Bristol Bears send prop out on loan to Championship side for competitive rugby". Bristol Live. Retrieved 19 May 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Champ Rugby

2025–26 teams|

* Ampthill
* Bedford Blues
* Caldy
* Cambridge
* Chinnor
* Cornish Pirates
* Coventry
* Doncaster Knights
* Ealing Trailfinders
* Hartpury University
* London Scottish
* Nottingham
* Richmond
* Worcester Warriors

Former clubs|

* Birmingham-Solihull
* Blackheath
* Bracknell
* Bristol Bears
* Cornish All Blacks
* Esher
* Exeter Chiefs
* Fylde
* Gosforth
* Harlequins
* Henley
* Jersey Reds
* Liverpool St Helens
* London Irish
* London Welsh
* Manchester
* Morley
* Moseley
* Newbury
* Newcastle Falcons
* Northampton Saints
* Orrell
* Otley
* Plymouth Albion
* Rosslyn Park
* Rotherham Titans
* Rugby Lions
* Sale Sharks
* Saracens
* Sedgley Park
* Wakefield
* Waterloo
* West Hartlepool
* Yorkshire Carnegie

Seasons|

| National Division Two|

* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97

|

Premiership Two|

* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00

National Division One|

* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09

Championship|

* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

RFU Championship Cup|

* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* ~~2020–21~~
* 2021–22
* 2022–23

Premiership Rugby Cup|

* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Representative team|

* RFU Championship XV

* v
* t
* e

National League 2 North

2025–26 teams|

* Billingham
* Darlington Mowden Park
* Fylde
* Hull
* Hull Ionians
* Macclesfield
* Otley
* Preston Grasshoppers
* Rossendale
* Scunthorpe
* Sheffield
* Sheffield Tigers
* Tynedale
* Wharfedale

Former clubs|

* Ampthill
* Aspatria
* Barkers Butts
* Bedford Athletic
* Beverley
* Birkenhead Park
* Birmingham & Solihull
* Blaydon
* Bournville
* Bradford & Bingley
* Broadstreet
* Bromsgrove
* Broughton Park
* Caldy
* Chester
* Cleckheaton
* Darlington
* Derby
* Doncaster
* Dudley Kingswinford
* Durham City
* Halifax
* Harrogate
* Hereford
* Hinckley
* Huddersfield
* Kendal
* Leeds Tykes
* Leicester Lions
* Lichfield
* Liverpool St Helens
* Longton
* Loughborough Students
* Luctonians
* Lymm
* Macclesfield
* Manchester
* Morley
* New Brighton
* Northern
* Nuneaton
* Orrell
* Peterborough Lions
* Rotherham Titans
* Roundhay
* Rugby Lions
* Sale FC
* Sandal
* Sedgley Park
* Solihull
* South Leicester
* Stockport
* Stoke-on-Trent
* Stourbridge
* Towcestrians
* Vale of Lune
* Walsall
* Waterloo
* West Hartlepool
* Westoe
* West Park
* Whitchurch
* Winnington Park
* Worcester

Seasons|

| Area League North|

* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90

|

National 4 North|

* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93

National Division 4|

* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96

National Division 4 North|

* 1996–97

National Division 2 North|

* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00

National Division 3 North|

* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09

National League 2 North|

* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* ~~2020–21~~
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Matches played
*[W]: Matches won
*[D]: Matches drawn
*[L]: Matches lost
*[PF]: Match points for
*[PA]: Match points against
*[PD]: Match points difference
*[TF]: Tries for
*[TA]: Tries against
*[TB]: Try bonus competition points
*[LB]: Losing bonus competition points
*[Pts]: Total competition points