Claire Cruikshank to lead Edinburgh Rugby Women’s Team

• 12 Dec 2023
• News

Edinburgh Rugby can today announce Claire Cruikshank as its Women’s team Head Coach, spearheading a new-look coaching team for the Celtic Challenge.

Following the recently announced return of the Celtic Challenge, the competition confirmed its new look line-up to feature this season, which included two Scottish teams aligned to Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

Cruikshank, who is Head of Performance Ladies’ Rugby at Edinburgh University, will take the helm of the first-ever Edinburgh Rugby women’s team, having brought a decade of success in the University game. 

A former Scotland internationalist and stalwart of the women’s game, ‘Shanks’ has international experience in a coaching capacity, both as Head Coach for the Swedish Women’s National Team and as Head Coach for Scotland U20 since 2023. Cruikshank was also World Rugby Coaching Intern for Scotland Women and the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

She will be supported by Assistant Coaches Stuart Corsar and Euan Mochrie.

On the appointment, Cruikshank said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the role as Head Coach for the Edinburgh Rugby women’s team to play in the Celtic Challenge.

“Having been involved in the inaugural season last year with The Thistles I know how important this competition is for the pathway in Scotland, and we hope to be able to unearth more new talent for Scotland Women.

“The opportunity also to work alongside the existing Edinburgh Rugby programme is exciting for all the coaches, players and management. 

“We’re really looking forward to the first competitive game on the 30^th of December, and the fact it’s being played alongside and in tandem with the men’s 1872 Cup is super exciting.  

“I hope the Edinburgh Rugby fan base comes out and supports the new women’s team at Hive Stadium.”

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth, added: “It’s fantastic to have someone with Claire’s experience taking the lead with our women’s side.

“The excitement for their first match is growing, and I’d encourage Edinburgh Rugby fans to make it a double header by attending both matches on the 30^th of December.”

Full coaching team:

Head Coach: Claire Cruikshank
Team Manager: Rosalynn Walsh
Assistant Coach: Stuart Corsar
Assistant Coach: Euan Mochrie
Development Coach: Andrew Whitelaw
Development Coach: Ross McCann
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Drew Scott
Physio: Emily Geddes

Tickets for Edinburgh Rugby Women’s matches are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for U16s (inclusive of order processing fee).

Edinburgh Rugby Season Ticket holders will receive a 20% discount on the team’s home Celtic Challenge match tickets – with tickets available at £8.30 for adults and £4.30 for U16s.

Upgrade your 1872 Cup matchday on Saturday 30 December by supporting the club across both its teams, as Edinburgh Rugby men’s and women’s sides clash against their west coast rivals on the same day.

Please note the men’s and women’s derby matches are ticketed separately. A ticket for one will not grant access to the other.