Team named for 2024/25 Celtic Challenge opener

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Lindsey Smith has named a matchday 23 containing 15 new Warriors ahead of this weekend’s 2024/25 Celtic Challenge opener, as her squad travels to Hive Stadium to take on Edinburgh under the Friday night lights.

The squad is led by loose-head Ailie Tucker, the prop having been appointed as club captain ahead of the outset of the new campaign.

Meet your leaders 💪

Ailie Tucker will captain your Glasgow Warriors in the 2024/25 @CelticRugbyComp, with Holland Bogan and Ceitidh Ainsworth serving as vice-captains!

More: https://t.co/uFM9EjKRFI #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/JlDhMQgfX7

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) December 19, 2024

Tucker is joined in the front-row by Aicha Sutcliffe and Katie Lindsay, the latter having crossed for Corstorphine Cougars in last weekend’s Premiership final.

Hillhead Jordanhill product Kate Yeomans joins Holland Bogan in the second-row, with the latter also serving as one of the squad’s two vice-captains.

An all-new back-row sees Eilidh MacGilvray become the first woman from Highland RFC to represent Glasgow Warriors, the flanker lining up alongside Emily Coubrough and Freya Walker in the loose-forwards.

Behind the scrum, a settled half-back combination sees Mairi McDonald return to Glasgow action at scrum-half, partnering vice-captain and fly-half, Ceitidh Ainsworth, behind the scrum.

Lisa Martin makes her first appearance for Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge after the former Scotland international’s impressive campaign for Corstorphine Cougars, lining up alongside Orla Proctor in the midfield for tomorrow night’s clash.

Two returning Warriors can be found in the back-three in the form of Roma Fraser and Sky Phimister, with Grace Deane completing the starting XV on the wing.

Megan Hyland is the sole member of the replacements to have appeared for the Warriors in last season’s Celtic Challenge, with the hooker joined by her Garioch team-mate Alex Ward and Poppy Clarkson as the front-row cover.

University of Strathclyde student Aisha Zameer wears the number 19 jersey, with Hillhead Jordanhill team-mate Erinn Foley completing the forwards awaiting their opportunity off the bench.

A mix of youth and experience lies in wait on the bench, as scrum-half Mary Nelson and centre Briar McNamara join 17-year-old Poppy Mellanby – who could become the youngest-ever Warrior in the club’s history – amongst the replacements.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We’re excited by the potential of this squad, and everyone is looking forward to getting out onto the field tomorrow night.

“Training has been focused and competitive, with all the players looking to be involved in our first game of the season.

“Edinburgh will provide us with a stern test first up, and we know we will need to be at our best to meet the challenge.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge at Hive Stadium, Friday 20 December, kick-off 7.35pm.

1 Ailie Tucker (C)
2 Aicha Sutcliffe
3 Katie Lindsay
4 Holland Bogan
5 Kate Yeomans
6 Eilidh MacGilvray
7 Emily Coubrough
8 Freya Walker

9 Mairi McDonald
10 Ceitidh Ainsworth
11 Grace Deane
12 Lisa Martin
13 Orla Proctor
14 Sky Phimister
15 Roma Fraser

Replacements

16 Megan Hyland
17 Poppy Clarkson
18 Alex Ward
19 Aisha Zameer
20 Erinn Foley
21 Mary Nelson
22 Poppy Mellanby
23 Briar McNamara