Edinburgh Rugby women’s Head Coach Claire Cruikshank has today named the capital side for the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge opener away to the Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park (Saturday 20 December, 2.30pm kick-off) – live on Celtic Challenge YouTube.
Hannah Walker captains the side for the first time, leading her side out in Dublin against last season’s winners the Wolfhounds – who have been champions in both previous Celtic Challenge seasons.
On the selection, Cruikshank said: “It’s so exciting that we’re going to be back in action this weekend. It feels like we’ve been training for a while so to be getting stuck into the Celtic Challenge again has brought a real buzz to everyone in the group.
“We know it will be a huge challenge against the Wolfhounds – they’re a side packed with international players, but we’re all excited to get stuck into them on Saturday and show what we’re about as a team.”
Walker starts in the back-three alongside fellow winger Cieron Bell and full-back Scarlett Haddow – who makes her club debut after winning the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership with Stirling County last weekend.
Rachel Philipps returns to the capital at outside-centre following her loan move from PWR side Sale Sharks, partnering Lucy MacRae in the midfield.
At half-back Cruikshank opts for a Watsonian duo of scrum-half Emily Love, and Scotland international stand-off Hannah Ramsay.
In the pack, Faye Sutherland makes her first start for the club at tighthead prop having moved from the back row, starting alongside loosehead Talei Tawake and hooker Aila Ronald.
The capital engine room has a familiar look with Scotland international Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan partnering one another at lock.
Alex Stewart returns to capital action after a successful Rugby World Cup at openside flanker, forming the back-row with Cat Moody (blindside) and Merryn Gunderson (number-eight).
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park (Saturday 20 December, 2.30pm kick-off) – live on Celtic Challenge YouTube.
15. Scarlett Haddow*
14. Cieron Bell
13. Rachel Philipps
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker CAPTAIN
10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Emily Love
1. Talei Tawake
2. Aila Ronald
3. Faye Sutherland
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Cat Moody
7. Alex Stewart
8. Merryn Gunderson
Replacements
16. Millie Whitehouse
17. Alison Wilson
18. Hannah McMahon
19. Charlotte Russell
20. Lauryn McGrotty*
21. Pip Benson
22. Nicole Marlow
23. Lisa Brown
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
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