Edinburgh Rugby Celtic Challenge core players announced

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 01: Edinburgh's Hannah Ramsay scores a second half try during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh and Clovers at the Hive Stadium, on March 01, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

The group of eight players, who will all be supported through the centralised Scottish Rugby programme, which provides financial support to enable players to train, play, and recover within their local playing environments.

The players will all be familiar to the capital faithful, with seven of the eight having represented the club since the women’s side was formed in 2023, including Scotland international Alex Stewart and last year’s Player of the Season and Celtic Challenge top try scorer Hannah Walker.

They are joined by Adelle Ferrie, Hannah Ramsay, and Molly Poolman – who were all capped internationally this year, as well as Aila Ronald and Merryn Gunderson, both of whom have been involved in previous Scotland squads.

Watsonian FC forward Talei Tawake will also return to action for the capital in a developmental capacity, having made a try-scoring debut against Glasgow last season.

On the confirmation of the core players, Head Coach Claire Cruikshank said: “We’re delighted to have our group of centrally supported players confirmed, as we continue to build to this season’s Celtic Challenge.

“We’re currently training with our core players and an extended squad of Premiership and University players, who if selected will form a final squad for the upcoming season. We’re all buzzing to get going, and get stuck into another big season representing the capital”

The upcoming season will see Cruikshank’s’ Edinburgh side face Glasgow Warriors Women at Hive Stadium (kick-off 12 noon) before the men’s teams battle it out for the 1872 Cup at Scottish Gas Murrayfield later that afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

The return of the double-header is poised to be a pivotal moment for the capital side as the Celtic Challenge enters its third season, providing a huge platform for the women’s team.

Edinburgh will launch their Celtic Challenge campaign with an away fixture against Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park on Saturday 20 December.