Opposition Insight | Doncaster RLFC

02/08/2024

By Mia Newton

Ahead of this Sunday’s Yorkshire derby against Doncaster, we look at our upcoming opponents.

Club Fact File

Doncaster R.L.F.C were founded in 1951. The club plays home games at the Eco-Power Stadium They are standing 6th place in the Betfred Championship table at the minute, in their first season back in Rugby League’s second tier.

In 1980, Yorkshire Television made a one-off documentary 'Another Bloody Sunday', the TV crew followed the Dons as they tried to avoid finishing the season without winning a single game.   

In 1995, Doncaster readmitted themselves as the Doncaster Dragons, before becoming Sheffield Lakers for two years, before the established their current name in 2007.

Form this season 

Out of the 17 games Doncaster have played this season, they have won 8, drawn 1, and lost eight games.

Last season, Doncaster got promoted from League 1, so they are still adjusting to their new life, but it’s been a promising start by the Dons as they overtook Featherstone last weekend to move into the playoff positions.

In their last five matches, Doncaster have won four and lost only one game, so they’ll be full of confidence heading into Sunday’s game.  

Key players 

Craig Hall | Previously of Widnes, Leigh, Toronto, Wakefield and Hull FC, Hall returned to Doncaster at the start of this season for a second spell after spending the last four years at Featherstone Rovers. Capable of playing at full back, centre, or on the wing, Hall has so far contributed with three tries and six goals in the 16 appearances he has made for the club.

Pauli Pauli | The former NRL forward joined Doncaster at the start of the 2024 campaign following two years in North Yorkshire with York Knights. Pauli has previously also played for the likes of Salford Red Devils and Wakefield Trinity in Super League. The 29-year-old has scored six times so far this season in 17 appearances. 

Head-to Head

Prior to this season, the last time we played against Doncaster was in 2019 in the AB Sundecks 1985 Cup Quarter Final, where we won 28-32. 

Out of our last 5 competitive games against Doncaster the Sheffield eagles have won all five and out of our last ten fixtures, we’ve won 9 out of 10. 

The last competitive home game for the Eagles against Doncaster was in May 2015, as Sheffield ran out as 30-12 winners. 

Both sides have got a rich history of going up against each other, with the first ever game dating back to 1984, where Doncaster won 18-10.