Hartpury preview

Hartpury preview
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Round 1, Saturday 21st October, KO 2.30pm

The Knights commence and conclude this season’s Championship league campaign home then away to Hartpury. The Premiership Cup games served as beneficial pre-season games.

Doncaster Director of Rugby (DoR) Steve Boden (Bodes) has reshaped his squad after no fewer than 20 players moved on at the end of last term. Bodes told supporters that these major turnover of squad members tend to run in roughly three year cycles, with less upheaval in the intervening seasons. Bodes’ new recruits have had 1 pre-season and 5 Premiership Cup games to bring cohesion to the team plus only a third of the games have been at Castle Park. This should strengthen the team's resolve by having little support to rely on! Let’s been the 16th man against Hartpury.

Last time out Northampton Saints demonstrated the difference between Premiership and Championship with their 82-12 victory recording the Knights’ highest defeat in the professional era. The team they fielded was almost their select VI apart from players on International duty at the World Cup. Very different to the potential first team string that played Ealing Trailfinders . It seems that the Saints have a formidable team this season, according to the commentators, their best players have remained and been bolstered by some key signings. It will be interesting to see how the Saints perform against Premiership opposition. Back row Tom Pearson (playing No. 7) scored 2 of the Saints’ 9 tries and the commentators thought that Pearson was unlucky to not be in France with England, tipped as future star. The commentators mentioned the Knights’ injury list which is already getting concerning before the start of the season.

Hartpury’s opening Championship Cup games were against:

Harlequins L 53-14
Nottingham W 17-21
Coventry L 19-35
Gloucester L 14-40
Saracens L 68-10

Although their defeat to Saracens was considerable, it was not as colossal as Saints v Knights. Both teams have had a weekend off rugby (as have most Championship teams) to ‘lick their wounds’, swallow their pride and learn from their experiences of playing much better and much dearer opposition.

Ex-Knights playing for Hartpury include utility back Charlie Foley and wing Jack Spittle although Jack isn’t listed but our own George Simpson is listed as a player even though he signed for the Knights ahead of the 2022/23 season from Hartpury.

Hartpury’s next Championship game is against Ealing Trailfinders on 28th October whilst we travel to Ellgia Fields, Grantchester Road to play newcomers Cambridge on the same day.

Championship games taking place this weekend:

Friday 20th October

Cornish Pirates v London Scottish 19.30

Saturday 21st October

Caldy v Nottingham 14.00
Cambridge v Ampthill 14.00
Doncaster Knights v Hartpury University 14.30
Bedford Blues v Ealing Trailfinders 15.00
Coventry were due to play Jersey Reds


COYK

DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…

Hi Jamie, was under the impression that Spitts and Fraser Strachan had signed for Ampthill. 

Thanks Kevin, Spitts even told me Ampthill, so where have I got Hartpury from! Will have to take your word on Fraser but I have no doubt it's true, you can't access the squad on Hartpury's website without a password!