30 days to go: the Celtic Challenge countdown is on!

Edinburgh Rugby Women open their 2026/27 Celtic Challenge campaign away to Clovers at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday 5 December (kick-off 12pm), before coming home to Hive Stadium just seven days later.

This is the competition’s fourth season, and it’s set to be the biggest yet. Ten rounds of regular-season action run through to Saturday 27 February, with the final on the weekend of 27 March 2027.

For the first time, the final will be hosted by the higher-seeded semi-final winner, so every point on the road to March really does count.

And this Edinburgh squad has every reason to feel excited.

A new era: Louise Dalgliesh takes charge

The countdown to Galway also marks the start of the Louise Dalgliesh era in the capital.

Appointed in August, Dalgliesh brings serious pedigree to the role. A 67-cap Scotland international who played at the 2006 and 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cups, she has since coached Japan at Rugby World Cup 2021, worked as Assistant Coach and U23 Performance Coach at PWR side Sale Sharks, and led the Scotland Women U20 programme.

She joins from club partner the University of Edinburgh, where she was Head of Performance for Women’s Rugby. Many of the young players now coming through the Edinburgh squad will already know her well from her time with Scotland U20s.

Born and raised in Hawick, Dalgliesh also spent more than a decade teaching across East Lothian at Knox Academy, Ross High School and Preston Lodge High School. She knows Scottish rugby from the grassroots up.

Seven new faces in the capital

If the coaching change has set the tone, the summer recruitment has turned up the volume. Seven new signings have joined Edinburgh Rugby Women for 2026/27, with a host of Scotland internationals among them.

Emma Orr (centre, from Bristol Bears). She’s back. Orr starred in Edinburgh’s inaugural Celtic Challenge season in 2023 before moving to Premiership Women’s Rugby. The Biggar product returns with more than 30 Scotland caps to her name.
Chloe Rollie (full-back, from Toulon Provence Méditerranée).Scotland’s most-capped current international, with more than 80 caps. Pure box office from the back.
Rachel Philipps (centre, from Sale Sharks). A familiar face after her loan spell in the capital last season, and capped by Scotland in the 2026 Six Nations.
Elis Martin (hooker, from Loughborough Lightning). The former Edinburgh University player started every match of Scotland’s 2026 Six Nations campaign.
Emily Coubrough (back-row, from Glasgow Warriors). Another University of Edinburgh graduate. Coubrough made her Scotland debut against Wales in the 2026 Six Nations and featured four times in the Championship.
Leia Brebner-Holden (scrum-half, from Loughborough Lightning). A former Edinburgh Celtic Challenge player, back in the capital.
Coreen Grant (wing/outside centre, from Harlequins).Edinburgh-born, and now coming home to play for her city.

The new arrivals join a core group of Alex Stewart, Hannah Walker, Hannah Ramsay, Molly Poolman, Merryn Gunderson, Lisa Brown and Aila Ronald. This is the most exciting squad the capital has put together yet.

Coming home: your five Hive Stadium fixtures

The road trip to Galway gets us under way, but the real heartbeat of the season is at Hive Stadium. Here’s what’s coming to the capital.

Edinburgh v Gwalia Lightning | Saturday 12 December, 1pm

The home opener, and a chance to set the record straight. Gwalia were the side who left Hive Stadium with a 43-7 win last January. A first look at the new-look Edinburgh in front of the capital crowd, with a point to prove from the first whistle.

Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors | Saturday 19 December, 3pm

Derby day. The festive intercity clash is always the one circled in red, and last season belonged to Edinburgh.

A 31-25 win at Hive Stadium in December was followed by a dramatic 22-17 victory at Scotstoun in March, Kaylee Fraser crossing with the clock in the red to complete the double. Six days before Christmas, the bragging rights are on the line again. Pack it out.

Edinburgh v Wolfhounds | Sunday 10 January, 2pm

The benchmark. Wolfhounds have won three Celtic Challenge titles in a row, and last March they lifted the trophy right here at Hive Stadium, beating Clovers 50-29 in the final. A Sunday afternoon against the champions is the ultimate test of how far this squad has come.

Edinburgh v Clovers | Saturday 23 January, 3pm

The rematch from Round 1. Clovers won 43-26 in the capital last season, but Edinburgh fought to the final play to take a bonus point, with Scarlett Haddow’s 60-metre try and Bethan Mathieson scoring on her full debut. By late January, we’ll know exactly where we stand against them after the Galway opener.

Edinburgh v Brython Thunder | Saturday 20 February, 1pm

The home finale, and potentially a big one with the play-off picture taking shape. Brython edged a tight 14-7 contest at Hive Stadium last season. One last chance for the capital crowd to drive the team on before the run-in.

The countdown starts now!

A new Head Coach. A squad packed with international quality. Five home games in the heart of the capital. The Celtic Challenge has never felt bigger in Edinburgh, and this team needs your backing from day one.

Tickets for all five home fixtures are on sale now, with a match pack also available covering every game at Hive Stadium.