Doncaster Knights: Griffiths welcomes rule changes

Doncaster Knights boss Clive Griffiths has welcomed rule changes ahead of the start of the club's pre-season campaign at Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.
Clive GriffithsClive Griffiths
Clive Griffiths

The Welshman, a regular critic of the scrummaging in recent years, claims the new rules will lead to more open rugby.

“Things were so bad with the scrums last season that we stopped working on moves from them last season in training because there was no point because they invariably ended in a penalty,” he said.

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“I think you will see more attacking moves in the backs from scrums this season – only five per cent of our attacks last season started from a scrum - and it should make for better spectacle for the supporters.”

Griffiths has brought in a referee this week to go through the rule changes and will do so again before the start of the Championship.

He plans to give all his squad a run-out at some stage in Saturday’s game, which will be contested over four 20-minute quarters.

Griffiths will be particularly keen to see how his new signings slot in as Knights look to build on last season’s success.

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“Obviously the new boys will be keen to impress in order to try and force their way into the squad,” he said.

“But given how well the team - the bulk of whom are still here - played last season, they are going to have to play well to dislodge them.

“I don’t think that there will be too many change against Irish but obviously if someone stands out in pre-season then you’d have to take that into account.”