Doncaster Knights boss Griffiths still sees rivals Carnegie as serious threat

His side face last season’s beaten Championship finalists at Headingley on Sunday seeking back-to-back derby wins having vanquished Rotherham Titans 44-0 last weekend.

Carnegie have seen a raft of leading players leave during the off-season this term, including captain Ryan Burrows and fly-half Joe Ford, reduced their playing budget and suffered a defeat in their opening game at London Scottish.

However, Doncaster, seeking to maintain their 100 per winning cent start having also prospered at Jersey, believe they remain a sizeable threat with former Bradford Bulls coach James Lowes back in charge for his second stint.

“Leeds (Yorkshire) have been put down in this area and that area after the first two games,” said Griffiths. “Yes, they weren’t great at London Scottish but they showed what they can do by winning at Nottingham.

“They weren’t fancied there and it’s not the easiest place to go on a Friday night – we know that – yet they got the win.

“They have some dangerous players in there. It was pretty thorough what we did to Rotherham but we’ll have to be better again on Sunday; it will be a tough game at Headingley.”

Griffiths, who yesterday completed the signing of ex-Rotherham, Yorkshire Carnegie and Ealing Trailfinders winger Curtis Wilson from Sheffield Tigers until the end of the season, believes their rivals play more rugby now Lowes has taken over from Bryan Redpath.

“There’s a lot of stuff around the back and a lot of rugby league influences as you’d expect with Jimmy being in charge,” he said.

“There’s some direct running to earn the right to go sideways.

“Steve Boden always has them organised up front while Chris Elder at full-back is an outstanding attacking player. They miss Buzz (Burrows), of course, but (Ollie) Stedman’s a decent player who we had here.

“Whether they have the strength in the depth this year will be interesting to see but they are clearly still a dangerous side.

“There’s a great respect between the players and coaches. I’m not so sure about between the clubs... It will be hammer and tongs whatever happens.”