News & Features Edinburgh Rugby Women

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

RELATED

Orr returns as seven new players join Edinburgh Rugby Women Celtic Challenge Orr returns as seven new players join Edinburgh Rugby Women Fri 12 Jun 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Women confirm contracted players for 2026/27 Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women confirm contracted players for 2026/27 Fri 12 Jun 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Women to announce seven new signings Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women to announce seven new signings Wed 10 Jun 2026 Cruikshank to depart Edinburgh Rugby Celtic Challenge Cruikshank to depart Edinburgh Rugby Thu 28 May 2026 Stewart and Poolman selected for Six Nations opener Celtic Challenge Stewart and Poolman selected for Six Nations opener Thu 9 Apr 2026 Wolfhounds vs Clovers: Celtic Challenge Final lands in Edinburgh this Saturday! Celtic Challenge Wolfhounds vs Clovers: Celtic Challenge Final lands in Edinburgh this Saturday! Tue 24 Mar 2026 Edinburgh claim dramatic derby win Celtic Challenge Edinburgh claim dramatic derby win Mon 9 Mar 2026 Ronald and Philipps return for derby day Celtic Challenge Ronald and Philipps return for derby day Thu 5 Mar 2026 Edinburgh rally late as Clovers win in the capital Celtic Challenge Edinburgh rally late as Clovers win in the capital Mon 2 Mar 2026 “Rugby is in my DNA.” – Gillian Nimmo to deliver match ball at Clovers clash Celtic Challenge “Rugby is in my DNA.” – Gillian Nimmo to deliver match ball at Clovers clash Sat 28 Feb 2026 Mathieson in line for first capital start Celtic Challenge Mathieson in line for first capital start Fri 27 Feb 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Women fall to clinical Clovers Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women fall to clinical Clovers Sun 22 Feb 2026 Two changes for Clovers trip Two changes for Clovers trip Fri 20 Feb 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Women fall short in Llanelli Celtic Challenge Edinburgh Rugby Women fall short in Llanelli Tue 17 Feb 2026 “Every game is now a final” – Cruikshank calls for 80-minute performance in Wales Celtic Challenge “Every game is now a final” – Cruikshank calls for 80-minute performance in Wales Fri 13 Feb 2026 Philipps returns for Brython rematch Celtic Challenge Philipps returns for Brython rematch Fri 13 Feb 2026 Late rally not enough as Brython Thunder strike at Hive Stadium Celtic Challenge Late rally not enough as Brython Thunder strike at Hive Stadium Mon 2 Feb 2026 “I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash Inclusivity & Outreach “I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash Sat 31 Jan 2026 Focus turns to Brython Thunder as Edinburgh Women look to bounce back Focus turns to Brython Thunder as Edinburgh Women look to bounce back Mon 26 Jan 2026 Young Edinburgh side fall to clinical Gwalia Lightning Young Edinburgh side fall to clinical Gwalia Lightning Sun 25 Jan 2026