Doncaster Knights: Griffiths targeting Championship consolidation

Knights start the new league season at home to Plymouth Albion on Saturday (2.30pm).

Griffiths and his squad are under no illusion about the step up in class awaiting them, following last season’s National One title-winning exploits.

But Doncaster’s director of rugby is determined to cement the club’s second tier status.

“The challenge is to get re-established in the Championship,” said Griffiths.

“That’s the immediate aim.

“The longer term aim is then to climb that ladder towards the top four.

“We’ve been here [in the Championship] before. And we’ve been near the top before.

“So there’s no reason why that can’t happen again, with sensible budgeting, recruitment and everything that goes with it.”

Knights were relegated from the Championship in 2013 but bounced back at the first time of asking, retaining their professional status and winning National One on the final day of last season.

Griffiths’ men go into Saturday’s game in good spirits, having recorded morale-boosting friendly wins over Swansea, Newcastle Falcons and Tynedale.