Doncaster Knights eye double over league leaders Bristol

The club’s longest unbeaten run of recent years came to an end after 12 league and cup games at home to Jersey in their final B&I Cup pool game in January.

Knights remain unbeaten in the league since early October and again will be hoping to avoid it being another case of ‘unlucky 13’ as they seek their first ever double over the former Premiership club.

Bristol are desperate to get back into the top flight after suffering defeat in the play-off final again last year and victory at Castle Park would all but guarantee them top spot again.

“I’ve got a lot of friends connected with Bristol and it’s difficult not to feel some sympathy for them after losing three finals,” said Knights boss Clive Griffiths.

“But there will be no room for sentiment on Sunday once the whistle blows because it is a game we are desperate to win and one I feel we can win.

“We know we let ourselves down in the B&I Cup quarter-final at Cornish Pirates but we’ve drawn a massive line under that game and moved on.

“We know that Bristol are a very good side and whichever pairing they go with, their half-backs will be a threat.

“But equally, Andy Robinson knows we are a good side after beating them 39-27 at Ashton Gate in November.

“He knows that we are a very workmanlike side and have a never-say-die attitude.

“He will also be aware of the threat posed by our driving maul and our off-loading game.”