Preview: Doncaster Knights v Bristol Rugby

In a fine run of form, Doncaster have picked up successive league wins to move away from the bottom of the table.

Last weekend, the Yorkshiremen overcame Cornish Pirates 30-13 at Mennaye Field, despite being reduced to fourteen men inside half an hour, when Bevon Armitage saw red for two sin-bins.

But Knights, who climbed above Moseley following their 52-24 defeat at Bristol, dug deep to lead 10-6 at the break and capitalized when the home side had two men sin-binned in the second half.

In the first meeting between Bristol and Doncaster in November, it was the West Country side who ran out winners in atrocious conditions at Ashton Gate.

Bristol – who reduced Doncaster to just four penalties that night, the first time they have kept a clean sheet since March 2013 – crossed three times courtesy of Max Crumpton, Dwayne Peel and Olly Robinson.

Bristol face Doncaster in the semi-finals of the B&I Cup, so return to Castle Park on Saturday, 14 March for knockout rugby (2pm KO).

Team News

Joe Joyce could make his first league appearance for the Club if he features from the bench when Bristol play Doncaster Knights on Saturday.

The Academy lock is recalled from Yorkshire Carnegie and is joined among the replacements by England U20s prop Ellis Genge.

Andy Robinson makes six changes to the side that overcame Moseley.

In the backline, Matthew Morgan and Dwayne Peel return to form a new half-back partnership.

James Hall is included in the front row, while Ian Evans is named in the engine room.

Marco Mama and Josh Ovens return to the back row for the Castle Park clash.

Bristol Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights at Castle Park on Saturday, 21 February (2.30pm KO):

Jack Wallace; George Watkins, Gareth Maule, Gavin Henson, Charlie Amesbury; Matthew Morgan, Dwayne Peel (c); Jack O’Connell, Ross McMillan, James Hall, Ben Glynn, Ian Evans, Marco Mama, Josh Ovens, Mitch Eadie.

Replacements: Chris Brooker, Ellis Genge, Joe Joyce, Nick Koster, Craig Hampson, Adrian Jarvis, Jack Tovey.