Ambitious Betts tipped to find his best rugby at Knights
DONCASTER KNIGHTS head coach Steve Boden has continued his significant recruitment drive by making his eighth signing ahead of the new Championship season.
The former Yorkshire Carnegie chief was always likely to overhaul an ageing squad after officially taking over from Clive Griffiths in April.
His desire to bring down its average age was illustrated again yesterday as 23-year-old Ealing Trailfinders prop Ben Betts became his latest new arrival at Castle Park.
The former Ireland Under 20s international spent last season on loan with Championship rivals Nottingham but has also featured previously with Leicester Tigers.
Such is his talent, Boden believes the front-row can play topflight rugby once more and said: “We believe Ben’s best rugby is yet to come. He is a mobile tighthead with a solid work rate.
“There is definitely plenty of potential in him and we believe he has a lot of growth in his game that can be unlocked in the environment we’re creating next season.
“He’s an ambitious guy with a good attitude and he will add some real competition at the tight head position.”
A number of props have played for Doncaster in recent years before going onto bigger things, not least Tomas Francis, who has won a Premiership title with Exeter Chiefs and become a Wales regular as well as WillGriff John, who was named in Wales’s Six Nations squad this season after moving to Sale Sharks.
Betts grew up in Munster and represented the province up to Under-20 level before moving to England.
“I’m really excited to join what sounds like an exciting new squad with loads of ambition and potential to develop under Steve Boden,” he said. “Doncaster have great history in the competition and a reputation of being big up front with lots of firepower which really appeals to me
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me personally as I want to test myself and get as much exposure as possible against the best teams in the league and help the Knights push forward.”
Doncaster now have 20 firstteam players in place ready for the 2020-21 campaign.
Other new signings include Northampton Saints scrum-half James Mitchell, Australian James Kane, Jersey Reds duo Conor Joyce and centre Mark Best, prop Tom Hill, Bristol Bears back-row Sam Graham and prolific Welshman Billy McBryde.