Edinburgh Rugby Women
| Full name | Edinburgh Rugby Women | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Scottish Rugby Union | |
| Founded | 2023 | |
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland | |
| Ground | Hive Stadium (Capacity: 7,800) | |
| Coach | Claire Cruikshank | |
| League | Celtic Challenge | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| edinburghrugby | ||
| Current season | ||
Edinburgh Rugby Women are a select provincial rugby union side from Scotland. The team plays in the Celtic Challenge league.
History
Edinburgh Rugby Women was formed in December 2023 by Edinburgh Rugby and the Scottish Rugby Union to play in the Celtic Challenge,[1] a cross-border women's rugby union competition that will be held annually. The competition was launched in 2023 and is designed to develop players for the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.[1]
Stadium
Edinburgh Rugby women's side play their home matches at Hive Stadium.
Current standings
| 2025–26 Celtic Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Ireland Wales Scotland |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| 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.[2][3][4]
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 |
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.[6] The first round of fixtures will take place on 20 December 2025.[2] 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.
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway | ||||||
| Wolfhounds | ||||||
| 27/28/29 March 2026 – Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh[7] | ||||||
| Brython Thunder | ||||||
| Winner SF1 | ||||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway | ||||||
| Winner SF2 | ||||||
| Clovers | ||||||
| Gwalia Lightning | ||||||
Semi-finals
Final
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 | [8] |
Notes
- ^ The club of the cited player or coach is listed in bold italics
References
- ^ a b "Edinburgh & Glasgow launch women's teams". BBC Sport. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Edinburgh to stage inaugural Celtic Challenge final at Hive Stadium". BBC Sport. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Elan Jones – Disciplinary Decision". Celtic Challenge. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
Coaches
The coaching team was announced in December 2024.[1]
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Claire Cruikshank | Head coach |
Current squad
| 2024/25 Squad |
|---|
| Forwards
Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars) Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh) Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars) Alison Wilson (Heriots) Caroline Bullock (University of Edinburgh) Charlotte Russell (Watsonians) Chloe Brown (Stirling County) Faye Sutherland (Corstorphine Cougars) Georgia Young (Watsonians) Hannah McMahon (University of Edinburgh) Karis Craig (Watsonians) Megan Riach (Garioch) Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars) Millie Capaldi (Heriots) Molly Poolman (Watsonians) Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh) Samaanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County) Talei Tawake (Watsonians) Backs Ami Conchie (Watsonians) April McKenzie (Watsonians) Dawn Lawrie (Watsonians) Emily Love (Corstorphine Cougars) Giselle Chicot (Watsonians) Hannah Ramsay (University of Edinburgh) Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh) Holly Mclntyre (University of Edinburgh) Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh) Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh) Pip Benson (Corstorphine Cougars) Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh) |
| 2023/24 Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The squad for the 2023–24 season was announced on 18 December 2023.[2] On 29 December 2023 Sarah Denholm was named as captain as part of the first game squad announcement.[3]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
Transitional playersOn 27 December 2023, Scottish Rugby announced 11 transitional players that could play for either Scottish Celtic challenge team.[4] Transitional players were selected through a Scottish qualified programme, a programme to develop and support Scottish qualified players living outside of Scotland, as well as players who have previously been involved with Scotland but currently live outside of Scotland.[4]
International playersInternational players released to play for Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge league.[5]
|
Notes
References
- ^ "CLAIRE CRUIKSHANK TO LEAD EDINBURGH RUGBY WOMEN'S TEAM". Edinburgh Rugby. 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Edinburgh Rugby women's squad announced". Edinburgh Rugby. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Turner and Clarke named co-captains for Celtic Challenge". Glasgow Warriors. 28 December 2023. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Scottish Rugby names Transitional Players available for Celtic Challenge selection". Scottish Rugby. 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Mattinson set for Edinburgh Debut". Edinburgh Rugby. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.