A recent statement from Championship Rugby, has confirmed that Doncaster Knights are eligible for a place in the Premiership for the 2024/25 season. Should Doncaster finish at the top of the Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season they will have a chance for promotion, in the form of a two-legged play-off.
These play off matches will be against the side which finishes bottom of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership table, with each match taking place in the home ground of either side. The statement on the Championship Rugby website read:
“Doncaster Knights has met the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) and is therefore eligible for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership. Promotion is subject to coming top of the Championship league at the end of the season and then winning a two-legged home and away play-off against the club finishing bottom of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table.
“Doncaster Knights were the only Championship club to apply to for a MSC audit and is therefore the only club eligible for promotion.”
This is a breath of fresh air for the Championship, as previous winners Ealing Trailfinders and Jersey Reds were previously denied a place in the Premiership. Ealing were unable to provide the adequate facilities for a spot in the top flight, after they won the Championship in the 2021/22 season. Jersey Reds suffered a crushing blow just weeks after being crowned champions of the 2022/23 Championship, as the club entered financial administration and has since ceased opperations.
The facilities at Doncaster’s Castle Park are up to the standard required for a spot in the Premiership, and the Knights will earn their place should they finish top off the table, and win the promotion-relegation play offs over two legs.