Women’s Celtic Challenge returns for second year with an expanded format

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 22: Thistle's Erinn Foley Logan during a Celtic Challenge match between The Thistles and the Welsh Development XV at Scotstoun Stadium, on January 22 , 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The Celtic Challenge provides a high-performance platform ahead of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations and aims to bridge the gap between the domestic and international women’s games in the three Celtic nations.

Following the successful pilot which took place across January and February this year, the tournament will be expanded to include two club teams from each union with a total of six teams competing. The expansion offers further opportunities to increase the number of fixtures played, providing more competitive game time and appealing to more players to compete in their country of origin which will ultimately underpin the strength and sustainability of the international game.

The tournament also enables the clubs to increase depth off the field with development opportunities for members of the coaching, medical, strength and conditioning and operational teams.

Following on from the announcement, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Women & Girls’ Strategy, Gemma Fay, said: “The expansion of the Celtic Challenge and strengthening of our partnership with the IRFU and WRU is hugely exciting.

“In line with our plans we will be growing the competition to feature two teams from each country which we outlined in our 2022-2026 Women & Girls’ Strategy was key in helping us provide an additional level of competition for more of our best players based in Scotland. We look forward to announcing more on our two teams in due course.”

World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby Sally Horrox said: “The feedback from the inaugural year of the Celtic Challenge has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s been impressive to see 24 players already going on to compete in the Women’s Six Nations, who might not have had the opportunity otherwise.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the competition grow as more teams compete, we strengthen our pathways and increase competitiveness on the road to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.”

Celtic Challenge Competition Manager Josh Payne said: “Following the successful pilot, it is clear to see the development opportunity that is now available for aspiring and promising players through the tournament, and the impact it has already had on the national teams in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

“Our focus continues to be providing female players with the right tools and experience to prepare them for the next stage of their rugby journey, whether that be as a professional rugby player or representative honours.”

The Celtic Challenge continues to be financially supported by World Rugby through its commitment to advancing the competitiveness of the elite women’s game.

Further fixture details including teams, venues and kick-off times will be confirmed by the respective unions at the beginning of December.