Doncaster Knights face huge test of unbeaten record

Pirates were long regarded as being Knights’ bogey side, but the South Yorkshire club won three of their four games last season.

Director of rugby Clive Griffiths took in Pirates recent game at Yorkshire Carnegie and came away impressed even though they suffered a narrow defeat.

“I thought they were terrific and gave every ounce of energy on the day and you can see why they are a much-improved team,” said the Welshman.

“They are very similar to us in that they have a small budget and they are a very tight group and, as I say, I rated their performance at Headingley.

“They’ve got a very good catch and drive, equally as good as any in the league, and can score from 20 odd metres out. Their scrum is quite solid and they’ve got some good backs who can hurt you, so they got a good mix.

“We aren’t going to underestimate them and we are going to be under pressure and the conditions are likely to be heavy which will have a bearing on the game. It’s going to be a war of attrition

“They know now that we can beat them and that they’ll be aware they’ll need produce their Category A game if they hope to beat us and the same applies to ourselves: we’ve got to play well.”

Griffiths, who says last weekend’s break came just at the right time given the fact that a number of players were carrying knocks last time out following the game at Ealing, will finalise his side today.