Premier player now centre of attraction at Knights

DONCASTER KNIGHTS have continued their recruitment for the return of Championship rugby in the autumn.

Having already signed Jersey centre Mark Best, Yorkshire’s remaining second-tier club have looked to the Premiership to bring in James Mitchell, a 25-year-old scrum-half from Northampton Saints.

Mitchell joins on a one-year deal. He made eight appearances for Saints in 2019-20, featuring in the Champions Cup and Premiership after signing from Connacht in September last year.

He spent two seasons in the west of Ireland, making 26 appearances and scoring two tries. Before moving to Connacht in 2017, James played for three seasons with Sale Sharks.

Mitchell has also played representative rugby for England at Under-16, U17 and U18 level before being selected in the 2015 U20 Six Nations squad. He played in all five games and featured in all five games at the U20 World Championship in Italy.

Mitchell said: “After speaking to (head coach) Steve Boden about Doncaster and where he wants the club to go next season, it was an easy decision for me. I feel like Doncaster will be a great place to play rugby next year and the style of rugby we are looking to play suits me and my game.”

Knights head coach Boden said: “James comes with a wealth of experience despite his young age having played first grade rugby at Northampton, Connacht and Sale.

“He has an excellent skillset, he is strong and succinct communicator and has the ability to keep the game at a high tempo.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how James integrates as a Knight and drives competition in a key position with Sam (Pocklington) and Reiss (Cullen).”