Who's who guide to Doncaster Knights' FOURTEEN new signings - and how they have been financed

New head coach Steve Boden has lowered the average age of the squad at Castle Park by targeting ‘young, hungry players with potential’.

No fewer than 14 new signings have been confirmed by the club so far this summer and more are likely to be announced over the coming weeks.

The playing budget has been underwritten by benefactors Steve Lloyd and Tony De Mulder, while more than £50,000 raised via crowdfunding has gone towards the club’s maintenance costs.

Here’s an at-a-glance guide to the new Knights...

James Kane: The 24-year-old utility back has moved back to England after spending 12 years in Australia.

Mark Best: Northern Irish centre, 26, who came through the ranks at Ulster and joined from Jersey.

James Mitchell: 25-year-old scrum half who featured for Northampton in the Premiership and Champions Cup.

Conor Joyce: Back row, 26, another arrival from Jersey.

Tom Hill: 24-year-old New Zealander. Loose-head prop who was at Nottingham and briefly worked with Boden at Yorkshire Carnegie.

Sam Graham: Another player to arrive from a Premiership club. The 22-year-old joined from Bristol and can play across the back row.

Billy McBryde: Fly-half, 22, last season’s top scorer in the Welsh Premiership with RGC 1404.

James Newey: 22-year-old centre, again from Jersey. Ex-Bristol.

Jack Davies: Cardiff-born back row, 24, who has represented Bristol and Bath.

Joe Jones: 24-year-old prop who made 29 appearances for Sale Sharks.

George Roberts: Hooker, 22, from RGC 1404. Enjoyed a breakout campaign last term.

Jack Spittle: WInger, 25, signed from Nottingham. Named in The Rugby Paper’s 2019/20 Team of the Season.

Jack Rouse: 24-year-old back row signed on loan for the season from Ealing Trailfinders.

John Kelly: Second row, 24, from Plymouth Albion. Represented England Counties.

*Ealing prop Ben Betts, 23, has reneged on a deal and stepped away from rugby.