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.

RELATED

Celtic Challenge Wolfhounds vs Clovers: Celtic Challenge Final lands in Edinburgh this Saturday! Tue 24 Mar 2026 Celtic Challenge Edinburgh claim dramatic derby win Mon 9 Mar 2026 Celtic Challenge Ronald and Philipps return for derby day Thu 5 Mar 2026 Celtic Challenge Edinburgh rally late as Clovers win in the capital Mon 2 Mar 2026 Celtic Challenge “Rugby is in my DNA.” – Gillian Nimmo to deliver match ball at Clovers clash Sat 28 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Mathieson in line for first capital start Fri 27 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women fall to clinical Clovers Sun 22 Feb 2026 Two changes for Clovers trip Fri 20 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women fall short in Llanelli Tue 17 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge “Every game is now a final” – Cruikshank calls for 80-minute performance in Wales Fri 13 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Philipps returns for Brython rematch Fri 13 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Late rally not enough as Brython Thunder strike at Hive Stadium Mon 2 Feb 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach “I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash Sat 31 Jan 2026 Focus turns to Brython Thunder as Edinburgh Women look to bounce back Mon 26 Jan 2026 Young Edinburgh side fall to clinical Gwalia Lightning Sun 25 Jan 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach Four decades of ‘The Blues’: Heather Bonnar honoured as Community Hero Sat 24 Jan 2026 Brown returns for Gwalia rematch Fri 23 Jan 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Women fall to Gwalia in hard-fought battle Sun 18 Jan 2026 Four changes for Gwalia trip Fri 16 Jan 2026 Celtic Challenge Clinical Wolfhounds win at Hive Stadium Sun 11 Jan 2026