Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors teams announced for Round One of the Celtic Challenge

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 06: Celtic Challenge branding during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby Women and Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium, on January 06, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Cruikshank’s side boasts several talented developing Scottish players, with fully capped internationalists – Emma Orr and Sarah Denholm – adding further experience to the side.

On the squad, Cruikshank added: “It’s hugely exciting to be able to name our first side for Saturday’s Celtic Challenge match against Glasgow. It’s a side that is packed with talent, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform against what will be a tough opposition in Glasgow.

“A lot of the players from both sides will know each other well, so it’ll be a challenge for all involved.

“The anticipation for the game has been building for a while, and we can’t wait to get out there in front of a big crowd at Hive Stadium!”

Glasgow Warriors team includes eight players who featured for the Scottish Thistles in last season’s edition of the competition, including co-captains Emma Turner and Rhea Clarke, who are both named in the starting XV for tomorrow afternoon’s clash.

Scotland Women stars Louise McMillan and Mairi McDonald will line up for the Warriors for Saturday’s match, following an agreed release from their Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs, Saracens and Exeter Chiefs, to make them available for the round one fixture,

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Laidlaw said: “Selection has been challenging, which is exactly what we want – we want this group to be pushing each other week in, week out and driving each other to be better.

“The opportunity that this 23 have to represent this group and this club is massive – everyone in this group feels part of this challenge and we’ve tasked the 23 selected to lay down a marker and set out what we’re about as a group.

“Everyone is excited and raring to go tomorrow, as we prepare for a massive opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of this club.

Edinburgh Rugby

15. Nicole Marlow** (Cardiff Met)
14. Hannah Walker* (Edinburgh University)
13. Emma Orr* (Heriot’s Blues/Biggar RFC)
12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian FC)
11. Cieron Bell* (Edinburgh University)
10. Sarah Denholm* (CAPTAIN) (Edinburgh University)
9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)

1. Poppy Fletcher* (Edinburgh University)
2. Nicola Haynes** (Saracens)
3. Katie Lindsay* (Corstorphine Cougars)
4. Fiona McIntosh** (Saracens)
5. Natasha Logan* (Edinburgh University)
6. Gemma Bell** (Hartpury University)
7. Alex Stewart* (VICE-CAPTAIN) (Corstorphine Cougars)
8. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars)

Replacements

16. Millie Whitehouse (Edinburgh University)
17. Panashe Muzambe** (Exeter Chiefs)
18. Molly Poolman* (Watsonian FC)
19. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars)
20. Freya Walker* (Watsonian FC)
21. Leia Brebner-Holden** (Gloucester Hartpury & Cheltenham Tigers)
22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars)
23. Rachel Philipps* (Watsonian FC)

Glasgow Warriors

15. Izzy McGuire-Evans**
14. Sky Phimister* (Stirling County)
13. Claudia McLaren (Stirling County)
12. Lucy MacRae* (Edinburgh University)
11. Roma Fraser* (Hillhead Jordanhill)
10. Ceitidh Ainsworth* (Stirling University)
9. Rhea Clarke (CC)* (Edinburgh University)

1. Ailie Tucker (Watsonian FC)
2. Nikki Simpson* (Garioch)
3. Eilidh Fleming* (Stirling County)
4. Emma Turner (CC) (Corstorphine Cougars)
5. Louise McMillan (Saracens)
6. Holland Bogan* (Stirling County)
7. Izzy Hannay** (Durham University)
8. Lucy Winter (Watsonian FC)

Replacements

16. Karis Craig* (Watsonian FC)
17. Kaylee Fraser (Corstorphine Cougars)
18. Debbie Lee (Hillhead Jordanhill)
19. Sophie Anderson (watsonina FC)
20. Eve Thomson* (Hillhead Jordan Hill)
21. Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
22. Carla McDonald* (Hillhead Jordanhill)
23. Pearl Kellie (Heriot’s Blues)

*Scottish Rugby Regional Training Centre supported players
** Transitional SQ Player