Doncaster Knights: Morgan Eames hoping to face former club Nottingham

Doncaster Knights second-rower Morgan Eames is hoping to be involved in Sunday's Championship clash against Nottingham at Lady Bay.
Morgan EamesMorgan Eames
Morgan Eames

The 23-year-old was one of several players to miss last weekend's final B&I Cup pool game at Leinster after going down with a bug in midweek.

Eames joined Knights from the green and whites during the summer and is keen to go back to his old stomping ground in the return.

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He was picked up by Nottingham junior academy after being spotted playing for Newark and signed for the club as an 18-year-old.

Eames played in the corresponding game for Nottingham at Lady Bay and did enough to attract the interest of the Doncaster coaching staff.

“I remember Doncaster having a big pack and being very strong up front and they played the sort of rugby that I like to play,” recalled Eames.

“I’d been at Nottingham for five years, which is a long time at any club, and when Doncaster showed an interest I thought it would improve my game, which I think it has, by going there.

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“Kendo (Glen Kenworthy) is a good coach who was involved in a lot of big games over the years and with him being a second-rower in his playing days I’ve learnt a lot from him.

“I’ve also learnt from Matt Challinor. He’s definitely someone you want playing on your side rather than playing against.

“He’s very old school and knows all the tricks of the trade so being here as a young second-rower is a good place to be.

“I’m happy with how things have gone since I’ve got back into the side following an early-season injury but, like any player, there is always room for improvement.”

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Having beaten Sunday’s hosts at Castle Park back in September Knights will be bidding to claim their first double of the season.

“It was a tough game and I’m expecting it to be similar on Sunday,” said Eames. “It will certainly be a big game for both sides in terms of their respective top-four ambitions

“The pitch at Lady Bay can be like a mud bath at this time of the year and Nottingham like to play it in the forwards when the pitch is heavy, but we are more than capable of handling their pack if we get things right on the day.”