Griffiths leads fight as Davey makes exit

The Welshman, who led the team for a season-and-a-half after spending two years as assistant to Lynn Howells, departed the club late this week.

He had been under pressure because of the club’s poor run of form which had seen them win only four times in the league this calendar year.

The club brought in former director of rugby Clive Griffiths above Davey last month, after which the writing was on the wall.

Neither Davey nor a Knights representative was available for comment, but a brief statement from the club read: “President and chairman Tony De Mulder thanked Brett for his contribution and wished him well in his next appointment.”

Griffiths continues the club’s battle against relegation when he takes Doncaster to Bristol tomorrow.

New signing Will Hafu takes his place on the bench, while the in- form Leicester Tigers duo of prop Keiran Brookes and centre Andy Symons remain in the Knights starting XV.

Phil Nilsen joins the centurions club at Leeds Carnegie in Jersey today.

The Manchester-born 27-year-old plays his 100th game for the club, becoming only the 16th player to reach the landmark.

Nilsen, who debuted against London Welsh in September, 2006, said: “It is a big one for me and I am really looking forward to it.

“I have known for a few weeks that I was getting close to the 100th game and then my dad phoned me to remind me earlier in the week that it would be this Saturday.

“There have been plenty of highs and lows along the way but it has been a great journey. The current team is a great group to be part of and, in a lot of ways, is very similar to the group I was part of when I first made my debut with.

“This team has got some great young players but good characters as well and it has been refreshing for me to be part of this squad this season.”

Diccon Edwards has handed starts to 20-year-old centre Christian Georgiou and 19-year-old lock Dominic Barrow. Leeds have won in the league and lost in the cup against Jersey this season.