Edinburgh side named for Celtic Challenge finale

7 Mar 2025

Head Coach Claire Cruikshank today named the Edinburgh side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park tomorrow afternoon (8 March, 12.15pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

The capital side head to Dublin for their final match of the Celtic Challenge, with a much-changed line-up selected due to injury and illness.

Sarah Denholm makes her first start of the campaign at fly-half, skippering the side alongside vice-captain Natasha Logan.

Hannah Ramsay shifts from stand-off to full-back to start in the back three, alongside wingers Lucia Scott and Cieron Bell.

Cruikshank has named an unchanged midfield duo, with inside centre Giselle Chicot again partnering Lisa Brown.

Denholm is joined in the halves by Rhea Clarke, the pair having played together previously for the University of Edinburgh.

In the pack, Alison Wilson once again starts at loosehead prop, with fresh duo of Karis Craig (hooker) and Megan Riach (tighthead) completing the front row.

Ever-present lock Logan will be joined in the capital second-row by a new partner for the first time this season, with Lucy Christie coming in for her first Edinburgh start.

Merryn Gunderson retains the number eight jersey and is joined in the back row by blindside flanker Cat Moody and openside Charlotte Russell, the latter set for her first capital start.

Head Coach, Claire Cruikshank, said: “Although the conditions leading up to our final match are not ideal, with injuries and illness, I’m excited for the players who will have the opportunity to showcase their talent.

“We still field a strong squad featuring promising young talent and aim to finish the tournament on a high playing with pride and passion.”

 

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park
Saturday 8 March, 12.15pm kick-off – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Hannah Ramsay

14. Cieron Bell
13. Lisa Brown
12. Giselle Chicot
11. Lucia Scott

10. Sarah Denholm CAPTAIN
9. Rhea Clarke

1. Alison Wilson
2. Karis Craig

1. Megan Riach
4. Lucy Christie
5. Natasha Logan VICE-CAPTAIN
6. Cat Moody
7. Charlotte Russell
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Millie Capaldi*
17. Talei Tawake
18. Kaylee Fraser
19. Rowan McPherson*
20. Faye Sutherland
21. Pip Benson
22. April McKenzie*
23. Nicole Marlow

Unavailable: Hannah McMahon, Dawn Lawrie, Georgia Young, Holly McIntyre, Sam Taganekurukuru, Charlotte Fosbeary, Shona Campbell, Lucy MacRae, Hannah Walker, Molly Poolman, Aila Ronald, Adelle Ferrie, Alex Stewart, Chloe Brown, Lauryn Walter

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

RELATED

Camps & Events Record-breaking Evolution Festival lights up Hive Stadium Fri 6 Feb 2026 Player of the Month Vote now: January Scottish Building Society Player of the Month Thu 5 Feb 2026 Scotland Men Schoeman, Ashman and Gilchrist start to power Scotland pack Thu 5 Feb 2026 Club News Edinburgh Rugby confirms initial phase of performance staff changes Wed 4 Feb 2026 Scotland Men Edinburgh stars set for Scotland A clash Wed 4 Feb 2026 Scotland Men U20 Ten selected for U20 Six Nations opener Wed 4 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Late rally not enough as Brython Thunder strike at Hive Stadium Mon 2 Feb 2026 URC Leinster surge in second-half to overcome gritty Edinburgh Sat 31 Jan 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach “I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash Sat 31 Jan 2026 Schools & Grassroots Evolution Festival set to kick-off Celtic Challenge clash Fri 30 Jan 2026 Cruikshank names new-look backline for Brython test Fri 30 Jan 2026 URC Edinburgh side named for Leinster test Fri 30 Jan 2026 Scotland Men U20 Wolfenden named captain for Scotland U20 Six Nations campaign Thu 29 Jan 2026 URC Lawrie calls for brutal honesty as Edinburgh prepare for Aviva Test Wed 28 Jan 2026 Hive Stadium to host inaugural Celtic Challenge Final Wed 28 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 URC First-half fire not enough as Bulls power back Fri 23 Jan 2026 Brown returns for Gwalia rematch Fri 23 Jan 2026