Edinburgh women’s side for first test of 2025 announced

• 3 Jan 2025
• Team Announcement

Edinburgh Rugby women welcome Welsh side Brython Thunder to Hive Stadium for the first capital match of 2025 (Saturday 4 January, kick-off 2pm) – live on RugbyPassTV and BBC iPlayer.

Head Coach Claire Cruikshank makes one change to the starting line-up from the side’s Round 1 victory against Glasgow Warriors, with Watsonian FC centre Giselle Chicot moving into the 13 jersey for her first capital start.

Saturday’s encounter will be the first time Edinburgh have faced the Thunder at Hive Stadium, with last season’s bonus point victory coming at Parc y Scarlets.

On the match, Cruikshank said: “Tomorrow is another exciting challenge for us as a group, we’ve had a good couple of weeks to prepare over the festive period, and we can’t wait to get going again.

“The first match was great for us as a team, and we’re keen to build on that momentum, however we know that Brython are going to be arriving with a huge amount of physicality and international quality, so we’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”

Cruikshank names an unchanged back-three, with Scotland international Lucia Scott flanked by Hannah Walker and Cieron Bell on the wings.

Chicot partners Lucy MacRae in the centres, with the inside centre notching up five conversions and a penalty from the tee last time out.

The capital half-backs remain unchanged, with Hannah Ramsay once again handed the reins at fly-half, partnering University of Edinburgh teammate Rhea Clarke.

In the pack, vice-captain Aila Ronald starts at hooker alongside prop duo of Molly Poolman (tighthead) and Alison Wilson (loosehead).

Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan continue to develop their partnership in the second row, again starting at lock together.

Captain Alex Stewart starts at openside flanker, partnering Corstorphine Cougars teammate Merry Gunderson at blindside, with Samaanther Taganekurukuru completing an unchanged pack.

Four potential debutants have been named in the replacements, with Kaylee Fraser (hooker), Charlotte Fosbeary (back-row), Pip Benson (scrum-half) and 17-year-old Lisa Brown (outside back) all in line for their first capital minutes.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Brython Thunder at Hive Stadium (Saturday 4 January, kick-off 2pm) – live on RugbyPassTV.

15. Lucia Scott

14. Cieron Bell
13. Giselle Chicot
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker VICE-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. Merryn Gunderson
7. Alex Stewart CAPTAIN
8.Samaanther Taganekurukuru

Replacements

16. Kaylee Fraser*
17. Talei Tawake
18. Hannah McMahon
19. Lucy Christie
20. Charlotte Fosbeary*
21. Pip Benson*
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Lisa Brown*

*Edinburgh Rugby debut