Edinburgh side for inter-city derby announced

14 Feb 2025

Head Coach Claire Cruikshank has named the Edinburgh women’s side to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium for the second inter-city derby of this season’s Celtic Challenge (Saturday 15 February, 2pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 26: Edinburgh's Hannah Walker in action during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby and Gwalia Lightning at the Hive Stadium, on January 26, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland.(Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Edinburgh ran out victorious in the first bout of the inter-city derby back in December and will be looking to put on a repeat performance for the first meeting of the sides West of the M8.

The capital came away with two losing bonus-points last time out against Brython Thunder and will be aiming to return to winning ways when they face their rivals at Scotstoun.

On the match, Cruikshank said: “We know we’ll have a target on our back, so we need to play well. We can’t take them lightly, they showed in the first half of the first game that they’re dangerous, if we don’t perform, we know what a challenge they’ll be.”

Winger Ami Conchie comes into the starting XV for her first capital start, fresh from registering her first capital try last week. She joins league top-try scorer Hannah Walker and full-back Nicole Marlow in the back-three.

University of Edinburgh duo of Lisa Brown (outside-centre) and Lucy MacRae (inside-centre) are partnered in the midfield for the second game in a row.

Watsonian FC scrum-half Rachel Law makes her debut for the capital alongside fly-half Hannah Ramsay in the halves. Law joined the squad this week, with regular scrum-halves Rhea Clarke and Pip Benson both unavailable due to injury.

Molly Poolman makes her return from suspension to start at tighthead prop, alongside returning vice-captain Aila Ronald and loosehead Chloe Brown.

Edinburgh’s lock partnership of Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan are once again in action, with the pair having started every match together so far this campaign.

Samaanther Taganekurukuru is the only personnel change in the back row, coming into the starting line-up at number eight, which sees Merryn Gunderson shift to blindside flanker alongside captain Alex Stewart at openside.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium (Saturday 15 February, 2pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Nicole Marlow

14. Ami Conchie
13. Lisa Brown
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker VICE-CAPTAIN

10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Rachel Law*

1. Chloe Brown
2. Aila Ronald VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Merryn Gunderson
7. Alex Stewart CAPTAIN
8. Samaanther Taganekurukuru

Replacements

16. Karis Craig
17. Talei Tawake
18. Megan Riach
19. Charlotte Fosbeary
20. Faye Sutherland
21. Emily Love*
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Lucia Scott

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Giselle Chicot, Pip Benson, Georgia Young, Cieron Bell, Shona Campbell, Lucy Christie, Lauryn Walter, Rhea Clarke