2025–26 Celtic Challenge
| 2025–26 Celtic Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Ireland Wales Scotland |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Champions | |
| Runners-up | |
| Matches played | 32 |
| Official website | |
| celticrugbycomp | |
The 2025–26 Celtic Challenge will be the fourth season of the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border women's rugby union competition with teams from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The six team tournament features a full double round robin fixture series, with each team playing the others both home and away. For the first time, however, the competition will include a single elimination play-off with semi-finals and a grand final to be held in Edinburgh.[1][2][3]
Wolfhounds enter the competition as two–time defending champions.
Teams and locations
There have been no team changes from the 2024–25 season.
| Team | Country | Coach / Director of Rugby |
Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brython Thunder | Wales | Ashley Beck | Scarlets, Ospreys |
| Clovers | Ireland | Denis Fogarty | Munster, Connacht |
| Edinburgh Rugby | Scotland | Claire Cruikshank | Edinburgh Rugby |
| Glasgow Warriors | Scotland | Lindsey Smith | Glasgow Warriors |
| Gwalia Lightning | Wales | Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin | Cardiff. Dragons RFC |
| Wolfhounds | Ireland | Neill Alcorn | Leinster, Ulster |
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolfhounds (Q) | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 431 | 127 | +304 | 66 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 45 | Play-offs |
| 2 | Clovers (Q) | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 294 | 231 | +63 | 48 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 39 | |
| 3 | Gwalia Lightning (Q) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 217 | 212 | +5 | 34 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 25 | |
| 4 | Brython Thunder (Q) | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 150 | 218 | −68 | 24 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 23 | |
| 5 | Glasgow Warriors | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 154 | 236 | −82 | 32 | 49 | 6 | 3 | 17 | |
| 6 | Edinburgh Rugby | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 152 | 321 | −169 | 19 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
First match(es) will be played: 20 December 2025. Source: Celtic Challenge[4]
Rules for classification: Four points for a win, two points for a draw. One bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match; one bonus point for losing by a margin of seven or less.
Rules for classification: Four points for a win, two points for a draw. One bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match; one bonus point for losing by a margin of seven or less.
Match grid
The following are the fixtures and results for the 2025–26 Celtic Challenge regular season:
| Home \ Away | BRY | CLO | EDI | GLA | GWA | WOL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brython Thunder | — | 12–15 | 33–14 | 17–36 | 7–0 | 14–0 | |
| Clovers | 29–12 | — | 31–7 | 57–31 | 35–31 | 7-24 | |
| Edinburgh Rugby | 7–14 | 26–43 | — | 31–25 | 7-43 | 12–50 | |
| Glasgow Warriors | 10–32 | 31–38 | 17–24 | — | 19–31 | 26–42 | |
| Gwalia Lightning | 38–7 | 14–19 | 31–17 | 12–15 | — | 7-52 | |
| Wolfhounds | 69–0 | 43–20 | 34–7 | 52–26 | 44–10 | — | |
Colours: Green: home team win; Yellow: draw; Red: away team win; Blue: upcoming matches
Regular season
The fixtures were announced in October 2025.[5] The first round of fixtures will take place on 20 December 2025.[1] All times shown are local times.
Round 1
| 20 December 2025 11:30 |
| (1 BP) Clovers | 35–31 | Gwalia Lightning (2 BP) |
| Try: Sadhbh McGrath (2) Niamh Murphy Jemima Adams Verling Aoibheann McGrath Con: Caitríona Finn (5) Cards: Caoimhe Murphy 79' | Report | Try: Evie Hill Courtney Greenway Maisie Davies (2) Tilly Vucaj Con: Carys Hughes (3) |
| Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin Referee: Dermot Blake |
| 20 December 2025 12:30 |
| Brython Thunder | 17–36 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: Ellie Tromans Hanna Marshall Jess Rogers Con: Marshall | Report | Try: Sky Phimister (2) Hannah Smyth (2) Poppy Mellanby Holland Bogan Con: Rianna Darroch (3) |
| Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli |
| 20 December 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Wolfhounds | 34–7 | Edinburgh Rugby |
| Try: Sophie Barrett (2) India Daley Maggie Boylan Eve Higgins Linda Djougang Con: Dannah O’Brien (2) | Report | Try: Cat Moody Con: Lucy MacRae Cards: Scarlett Haddow 59' |
| Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin Referee: Padraic Reidy |
Round 2
| 27 December 2025 12:00 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh Rugby | 31–25 | Glasgow Warriors (2 BP) |
| Try: Aila Ronald Molly Poolman Hannah Walker Cieron Bell Nicole Marlow Con: Hannah Ramsay (3) | Report | Try: Beth Blacklock Hannah Smyth Sky Phimister Holland Bogan (2) |
| Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh |
| 27 December 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Gwalia Lightning | 38–7 | Brython Thunder |
| Try: Webster (2) Pyrs Fajeyisan Reardon King Con: Hughes (4/6) | Report | Try: Healen Con: Williams |
| Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Attendance: 650 Referee: Amber Stamp |
| 3 January 2026 15:00 |
| Clovers | 7–24 | Wolfhounds (1 BP) |
| Try: Jemima Adams Verling 40+2' c Con: Caitríona Finn 40+3' | Report | Try: Aoife Dalton 6' c Robyn O’Connor 37' m Maggie Boylan 64' m Eve Higgins 69' c Con: Dannah O'Brien (2) 7', 70' |
| Creggs RFC Referee: Shane Tuohy |
Round 3
| 10 January 2025 12:30 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 19–31 | Gwalia Lightning (1 BP) |
| Try: Sky Phimister 13' m Freya Walker 45' c Gemma Bell 55' c Con: Kate Ainsworth (2) 46', 56' | Report | Try: Tilly Vucaj 29' c Molly Reardon 51' m Courtney Greenway (3) 58' c, 68' m, 76' c Con: Carys Hughes 30', 59', 77' |
| Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow |
| 10 January 2026 15:00 |
| Edinburgh Rugby | 12–50 | Wolfhounds (1 BP) |
| Try: Cieron Bell Talei Tawake Con: Nicole Marlow | Report | Try: Erin King India Daley Aoibheann Reilly Aoife Dalton Niamh Marley Maggie Boylan Aoife Corcoran Stacey Flood Con: Dannah O’Brien (4) Abby Moyles |
| Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh |
| 11 January 2026 12:00 |
| (1 BP) Brython Thunder | 12–15 | Clovers |
| Try: Amy Williams Gwen Crabb Con: Hanna Marshall | Report | Try: Emily Foley Lucia Linn Con: Caitríona Finn Pen: Caitríona Finn |
| Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff |
Round 4
| 17 January 2026 13:00 |
| (1 BP) Gwalia Lightning | 31–17 | Edinburgh Rugby |
| Try: Greenway Lewis Pyrs Reardon Hawkins Con: Hughes (2) Hesketh | Report | Try: Bell Ronald Ramsay Con: MacRae |
| CSE, Ystrad Mynach |
| 18 January 2026 12:00 |
| (1 BP) Wolfhounds | 69–0 | Brython Thunder |
| Try: Niamh Marley penalty try Vicky Elmes Kinlan (2) Robyn O’Connor (2) Linda Djougang Stacey Flood Maebh Clenaghan Jade Gaffney Naoise Smyth Con: Dannah O’Brien (3) Flood (2) | Cards: Lisa Neumann |
| Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast Referee: Rob McGreer (Ireland) |
| 18 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clovers | 57–31 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: Alana McInerney (2) Caitríona Finn Anna McGann Sadhbh McGrath Niamh Murphy Katie Whelan Aoibheann McGrath Aoife Corey Con: Caitríona Finn (6) | Report | Try: Briar McNamara Nicole Flynn (2) Emily Coubrough Holland Bogan Con: Ceitidh Ainsworth (3) Cards: Nicole Flynn |
| Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast |
Round 5
| 24 January 2026 13:00 |
| Edinburgh Rugby | 7–43 | Gwalia Lightning (1 BP) |
| Try: penalty try | Report | Try: Maisie Davies (2) Lily Terry (2) Bryonie King Sian Jones Catherine Richards Con: Carys Hughes (4/7) Cards: Anwen Owen 31' |
| Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh |
| 25 January 2026 12:00 |
| (1 BP) Clovers | 29–12 | Brython Thunder |
| Try: Siobhán McCarthy Annakate Cournane Emily Lane Niamh Murphy Aoife Corey Con: Caitríona Finn 2 | Report | Try: Jess Rogers Rhian Bowden Con: Ffion Williams Cards: Hannah Bluck 15' |
| Musgrave Park, Cork Referee: Paudie Sheehan (IRFU) |
| 25 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Wolfhounds | 52–26 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: Caoimhe Molloy (2) Erin King Katie Corrigan Linda Djougang Fiona Tuite Maeve Óg O’Leary Vicky Elmes Kinlan Con: Abby Moyles (6/8) Cards: Fiona Tuite 61' | Report | Try: Holland Bogan Rianna Darroch Briar McNamara Sky Phimister Con: Millie Warren (3/4) |
| Musgrave Park, Cork Referee: Kevin Coffey (IRFU) |
Round 6
| 31 January 2026 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 31–38 | Clovers (1 BP) |
| Try: Emily Coubrough Holland Bogan Millie Warren Penalty try Briar McNamara Con: Millie Warren Briar McNamara | Report | Try: Faith Oviawe Aoibheann McGrath (2) Katie Whelan Anna McGann Síofra Hession Con: Caitríona Finn (3) Síofra Hession Cards: Chisom Ugwueru 68' Faith Oviawe 71' |
| Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Referee: Ciaran Stark (SRU) |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh Rugby | 7–14 | Brython Thunder |
| Try: Hannah Walker Con: Hannah Walker Cards: Charlotte Russell | Report | Try: Stella Orrin Seren Singleton Con: Ffion Williams (2) |
| Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh |
| 1 February 2026 12:30 |
| (1 BP) Wolfhounds | 44–10 | Gwalia Lightning |
| Try: Maggie Boylan Eve Higgins Vicky Elmes Kinlan India Daley Fiona Tuite Aoibheann Reilly Maebh Clenaghan (2) Con: Dannah O’Brien Abby Moyles Cards: Fiona Tuite | Report | Try: Chloe Thomas-Bradley Con: Jodi Palmer Pen: Carys Hughes |
| Musgrave Park, Cork Referee: Tomás O’Sullivan (Ireland) |
Round 7
| 14 February 2026 12:30 |
| (1 BP) Brython Thunder | 33–14 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Rhian Bowden Seren Lockwood (2) penalty try Seren Singleton Con: Ffion Williams 3 | [ Report] | Try: Nicole Marlow Adelle Ferrie Con: Hannah Ramsay MacRae Cards: Ramsey |
| Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli |
| 14 February 2026 13:00 |
| (1 BP) Gwalia Lightning | 14–19 | Clovers |
| Try: Courtney Greenway Evie Hill Con: Carys Hughes 2 | Report | Try: Aoife Corey Alana McInerney Niamh Murphy Con: Siofra Hession 2 |
| CSE, Ystrad Mynach |
| 15 February 2026 14:00 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 26–42 | Wolfhounds |
| Try: Briar McNamara Aicha Sutcliffe Emily Coubrough Millie Warren Con: Millie Warren 3 | Try: Katie Corrigan Erin King (2) Naoise Smyth Fiona Tuite Aoibheann Reilly Con: Abby Myles 6 Cards: India Daley |
| Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Referee: Murray Oliver |
Round 8
| 21 February 2026 12:30 |
| Brython Thunder | 14–0 | Wolfhounds |
| Try: Williams Picton-Powell Con: Marshall (2) | Report |
| Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli |
| 21 February 2026 12:30 |
| (1 BP) Clovers | 31–7 | Edinburgh Rugby |
| Try: Aoife Corey Jemima Adams Verling Chisom Ugwueru (2) Beth Buttimer Con: (3/5) | Report | Try: Hannah McMahon Con: (1/1) |
| The Sportsground, Galway |
| 21 February 2026 13:00 |
| (1 BP) Gwalia Lightning | 12–15 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Try: Thomas-Bradley Pearce Con: Hughes | Report | Try: Sutcliffe Norval Con: Warren Pen: Warren |
| CSE, Ystrad Mynach |
Round 9
| 28 February 2026 13:00 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 10–32 | Brython Thunder (1 BP) |
| Try: Hannah Smyth Con: Millie Warren Pen: Warren | Try: Lisa Neumann Seren Singleton Hanna Marshall Mabli Evans Seren Lockwood Ellie Tromans Con: (1/6) |
| Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow |
| 28 February 2026 13:00 |
| Gwalia Lightning | 7–52 | Wolfhounds (1 BP) |
| Try: Bethan Lewis Con: Hughes | Try: Erin King Katie Corrigan (2) Linda Djougang Eve Higgins India Daley Amy Larn Stacey Flood . Con: Dannah O'Brien (6/8) |
| CSE, Ystrad Mynach |
| 28 February 2026 13:00 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh Rugby | 26–43 | Clovers (1 BP) |
| Try: Cat Moody Bethan Mathieson Scarlott Haddow Adelle Ferrie Con: (3/4) | Try: Beibhinn Parsons Beth Buttimer (2) Ruth Campbell Eilis Cahill Anna McGann Aoibheann McGrath Con: (4/7) |
| Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh |
Round 10
| 6 March 2026 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 17–22 | Edinburgh Rugby (1 BP) |
| Try: Sophie Murphy Millie Warren Con: Warren (2/2) Pen: Warren | Report | Try: Hannah Walker Bethan Mathieson Cat Moody Kaylee Fraser Con: Moody (1/4) |
| Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow |
| 7 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Wolfhounds | 43–20 | Clovers (1 BP) |
| Try: Grace Moore India Daley (2) Niamh Marley Erin King (2) Robyn O'Connor Con: Dannah O'Brien (4/7) Cards: Maebh Clenaghan | Report | Try: Beibhinn Parsons Anna McGann (2) Katie Whelan |
| UCD Bowl, Dublin |
| 8 March 2026 14:00 |
| Brython Thunder | 7–0 | Gwalia Lightning (1 BP) |
| Try: Branwen Metcalfe Con: Marshall Cards: 2 | Report |
| Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli |
Play-offs
For the first time, the Celtic Challenge will have play-offs to crown a champion, with the top four teams in the regular season advancing to semi-finals, followed by a grand final. With their 52–7 victory of third-placed Gwalia Lightning in round 9, Wolfhounds ensured that both Irish franchises would have a home nation semi-final; both matches were fixed for the Dexcom Stadium, Galway, while the final will take place in a preselected venue, Edinburgh's Hive Stadium.
On 21 March both Irish franchises defeated their Welsh semi-final opposition to set up an all-Ireland final for 28 March, guaranteeing a fourth consecutive Irish champion of the Challenge.
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway | ||||||
| Wolfhounds | 36 | |||||
| 27/28/29 March 2026 – Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh[3] | ||||||
| Brython Thunder | 10 | |||||
| Wolfhounds | ||||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway | ||||||
| Clovers | ||||||
| Clovers | 35 | |||||
| Gwalia Lightning | 20 | |||||
Semi-finals
| 21 March 2026 14:30 |
| Wolfhounds | 36–10 | Brython Thunder |
| Try: Naoise Smyth Stacey Flood (2) Niamh Higgins Vicky Elmes Kinlan Robyn O'Connor Con: Dannah O'Brien (3) | Report | Try: Branwen Metcalfe Jorja Aiono |
| Dexcom Stadium, Galway Referee: John Lillis (IRFU) |
| 21 March 2026 12:00 |
| Clovers | 35–20 | Gwalia Lightning |
| Try: Beth Buttimer Béibhinn Parsons Alana McInerney (2) Ruth Campbell Con: Enya Breen (5) | Report, 2 | Try: Alaw Pyrs (2) Caitlin Lewis Con: Carys Hughes Pen: Hughes |
| Dexcom Stadium, Galway Referee: Paul O’Connor (IRFU) |
Final
Try scorers
The top try scorers in the competition were as follows:
| Player | Team | Tries |
|---|---|---|
| Erin King | Wolfhounds | 7 |
| India Daley Courtney Greenway |
Wolfhounds Gwalia Lightning |
6 |
Discipline
Red cards
| Player/Coach | Match[a] | Law breached | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elan Jones | Wolfhounds vs. Brython Thunder (18 January 2026) |
9.13 – tackle above the line of the shoulder (Red card) |
3 matches | [6] |
| Maebh Clenaghan | Wolfhounds vs. Clovers (7 March 2026) |
9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone (Red card) |
3 matches | [7] |
Notes
- ^ The club of the cited player or coach is listed in bold italics
References
- ^ a b "New Look Celtic Challenge Finals Reflect Rising Women's Rugby World Cup Influence - Celtic Challenge". 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "2025-26 Celtic Challenge to feature knockout rugby as competition revamped". BBC Sport. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Edinburgh to stage inaugural Celtic Challenge final at Hive Stadium". BBC Sport. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Table". Celtic Challenge. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Celtic Challenge Unveils Fixtures for the 2025/26 Season". Celtic Challenge. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Elan Jones – Disciplinary Decision". Celtic Challenge. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Meabh Clenaghan – Disciplinary Decision". Celtic Challenge. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.