Four changes for Gwalia rematch

31 Jan 2025

Edinburgh Rugby women’s team Head Coach Claire Cruikshank has made four changes to the capital starting line-up for Saturday’s rematch against Gwalia Lightning at Ystrad Mynach (1 Feb, kick-off 2pm) – live on RugbyPass TV.

Cruikshank’s side came within a whisker of a dramatic win against their hosts last weekend, with a capital attack being held up in the last play of the match.

Edinburgh get an almost instant chance to reverse the result, with quartet of Alison Wilson (loosehead), Lucy MacRae, Giselle Chicot (centres), and Nicole Marlow (full-back) coming into the starting side.

On the fixture, Cruikshank said: “It’s disappointing to have been on the wrong side of the result last week, but it’s great to have the chance to go against Gwalia so soon.

We played some really good stuff last week, but there are also learnings that we need to take into Saturday.”

Marlow has her first start of the campaign, having featured heavily for the capital in last season’s Celtic Challenge. She is joined in the back three by wingers Hannah Walker and Shona Campbell, the GB Sevens flyer shifting from outside-centre.

The capital midfield sees MacRae and Chicot reunite, the pair having featured twice together so far this season.

Sarah Denholm moves from the centres to start at stand-off, partnering ever-present scrum-half Rhea Clarke in the halves.

Wilson returns for her fourth start of the season in the front-row, alongside University of Edinburgh duo Aila Ronald (hooker) and Hannah McMahon (tighthead).

The capital locks remain consistent, with Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan starting together for the fifth game in a row.

Cruikshank also names an unchanged back-row, with captain Alex Stewart (openside flanker) joined by Charlotte Fosbeary (blindside) and Merryn Gunderson (number-eight)

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Gwalia Lighting at Ystrad Mynach
Saturday 1 Feb, kick-off 2pm – live on RugbyPass TV

15. Nicole Marlow

14. Shona Campbell
13. Giselle Chicot
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker VICE-CAPTAIN

10. Sarah Denholm
9. Rhea Clarke

1. Alison Wilson
2. Aila Ronald VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Hannah McMahon
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Charlotte Fosbeary
7. Alex Stewart CAPTAIN
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Karis Craig
17. Chloe Brown
18. Megan Riach
19. Lauryn Walter
20. Samaanther Taganekurukuru
21. Pip Benson
22. Hannah Ramsay
23. Ami Conchie*

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: Talei Tewake, Millie Capaldi, Molly Poolman, Lisa Brown, April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Lucia Scott, Cieron Bell