Bell returns for Wolfhounds visit

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 04: Edinburgh's Cieron Bell in action during a Celtic Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Brython Thunder at the Hive Stadium, on January 04, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

The speedster, who started the season in blistering form before being hampered by injury, makes a welcome return as the capital prepare for the visit of the table-topping Wolfhounds.

Edinburgh will be captained by Hannah Walker for the first time, the winger named as one of seven capital stars in the extended Scotland squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations earlier this week.

Head Coach, Claire Cruikshank, said: “We’re disappointed with how last week went and we want to bounce back against the Wolfhounds.

“We know how tough they’ll be but we want to show our best rugby against a side stacked with international players.”

Bell and Walker are joined in the back three by Lucia Scott, who returns to the starting line-up in the week she too has been named in Bryan Easson’s extended Scotland squad.

Giselle Chicot makes her return from concussion and earns a starting berth at inside centre alongside 17-year-old outside centre Lisa Brown.

Another Scotland call-up, scrum-half Rhea Clarke is back in the match day 23, and is joined by Hannah Ramsay at stand-off.

Alison Wilson returns to start at loosehead prop, forming a front row with vice-captain Aila Ronald (hooker) and Molly Poolman (tighthead), both of whom selected in Scotland’s extended Six Nations squad.

Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan continue to start together at lock, with Ferrie having earned a first Scotland call-up, while Logan has been invited to join the squad as a day-trainer.

Cruikshank has shuffled the deck in the back-row, with Merryn Gunderson starting at number eight, Samaanther Taganekurukuru at blindside flanker and Charlotte Fosbeary on the openside to complete the pack. Captain Alex Stewart shifts to the bench as part of national team rest protocols.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium (Saturday 22 February, 2pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Lucia Scott

14. Cieron Bell
13. Lisa Brown
12. Giselle Chicot
11. Hannah Walker CAPTAIN

10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Rhea Clarke

1. Alison Wilson
2. Aila Ronald VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Samaanther Taganekurukuru
7. Charlotte Fosbeary
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Karis Craig
17. Talei Tawake
18. Megan Riach
19. Cat Moody*
20. Alex Stewart
21. Emily Love
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Lucy MacRae

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Hannah McMahon, Pip Benson, Georgia Young, Shona Campbell