Marlow starts Wolfhounds clash

9 Jan 2026

Edinburgh Rugby women make one change for the visit of the Irish Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium this Saturday, with Nicole Marlow coming into the starting XV for the side’s first match of 2026 (10 January, kick-off 3pm) – live on Celtic Challenge YouTube.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 27: Edinburgh's Nicole Marlow scores a try during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby Women and Glasgow Warriors Women at the Hive Stadium, on December 27, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Marlow starts at fullback having impressed from the bench last time out against Glasgow Warriors. The speedy back grabbed a crucial score in Edinburgh’s intercity victory.

Marlow is the sole change to the matchday squad, with Cruikshank opting for consistency for the upcoming challenge of the Irish Wolfhounds.

On the match, Cruikshank said: “We’re really happy with how the team have gone in the first couple of rounds – there are improvements we want to make, but the fight in the team has been excellent, and we showed some real moments of quality in the win against Glasgow.

“We’ve obviously faced the Wolfhounds recently and know all about the threats they can pose, so tomorrow will be about trying to learn from the trip to Dublin and put those learnings onto the field.”

Marlow joins captain Hannah Walker and Cieron Bell in the back-three, all three of whom having scored against Glasgow last time out.

Cruikshank selects unchanged centre and half-back partnerships, with Rachel Philipps and Lisa Brown in the midfield, and Hannah Ramsay and Emily Love at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.

In the pack, Talei Tawake (loosehead), Aila Ronald (hooker), and Molly Poolman (tighthead) make up the front-row, with Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan once again partnering at lock.

Scotland international Alex Stewart starts at openside flanker, with blindside Charlotte Russell and number-eight Merryn Gunderson completing the starting lineup.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium (Saturday 10 January, kick-off 3pm) – live on YouTube.

15. Nicole Marlow

14. Cieron Bell
13. Lisa Brown
12. Rachel Philipps
11. Hannah Walker CAPTAIN

10.Hannah Ramsay
9. Emily Love

1. Talei Tawake
2. Aila Ronald
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Charlotte Russell
7. Alex Stewart
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Millie Whitehouse
17. Alison Wilson
18. Faye Sutherland
19. Nicola Howat
20. Cat Moody
21. Tamzin Rosie
22. Lucy MacRae
23. Scarlett Haddow