Doncaster Knights to take on Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints in Premiership Rugby Cup

Championship teams have been entered into the new-look competition for the first time ever this year.

The 22 clubs in the top two tiers will be split into four pools, with five group matches taking place throughout September and October.

Each pool winner will contest the semi-finals in February before the final in March.

Knights have been drawn in Pool D alongside Championship new boys Cambridge, London Scottish, Ealing Trailfinders, Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints.

Teams were split into pools based on league standings at the end of last season.

Knights finished sixth in the second tier.

Steve Boden’s side will kick-off their season at home to Cambridge on Friday, 8 September (7.30pm start) before travelling to London Scottish on Saturday, 16 September (3pm-kick off) then Ealing the following weekend (3pm-kick off).

A home clash against Bristol, who beat Knights to gain promotion to the RFU Premiership in 2016, awaits on Friday, 19 September (7.30pm kick-off).

Knights will also take on Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday, October 7 (2.45pm kick-off).

The 2023/24 Championship season on October 21, when Knights will take on Hartpury at Castle Park.

Tighthead prop Lewis Thiede became the club’s latest signing last week when he joined after leaving Ealing.

The Doncaster-born 32-year-old was a teammate of head coach Steve Boden during his first spell at the club from 2008 to 2011 and also played for Bristol from 2018 to 2020.