Blacklock to make Glasgow Warriors debut

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 13: Warriors celebrate after Phaedra Snailham scores a try during a Celtic Challenge match between Glasgow Warriors and Wolfhounds at Scotstoun Stadium, on January 13, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Blacklock’s inclusion comes following an agreed release from her Premiership Women’s Rugby club, Saracens, as the Warriors make four changes for the round four clash in the Celtic Challenge.

An unchanged front-row sees the club’s top try-scorer line up at loose-head prop in the form of Ailie Tucker, the Biggar RFC product joining Nikki Simpson and Eilidh Fleming at the coal face.

Eve Thomson makes her first start in Glasgow colours in the second-row, lining up alongside club co-captain Emma Turner for the visit of the Irish outfit.

Holland Bogan returns to the starting lineup to pack down on the blindside, as Izzy Hannay and Lucy Winter complete a dynamic back-row triumvirate.

Behind the scrum, Scotland scrum-half Mairi McDonald is once again handed the number nine jersey, joining Ceitidh Ainsworth – who has started each game at fly-half to date – in the half-backs.

Lucy MacRae shifts from inside centre to outside centre in order to accommodate Blacklock’s inclusion in the midfield, the former having been one of the club’s standout performers in the competition to date.

The back-three is unchanged, meaning that Phaedra Snailham – scorer of the club’s first-ever home try last time out – and Sky Phimister line up either side of full-back Carla McDonald.

Another potential Glasgow Warriors debutant awaits her opportunity from the replacements, as Garioch’s Megan Hyland is handed her first outing in a matchday 23.

Demi Swann returns to the squad after missing the clash with the Wolfhounds last time out, with an agreed release from Exeter Chiefs seeing the prop join Karis Craig and Chloe Brown as the front-row cover.

Ellie Williamson rotates to the bench after starting in round three, whilst Rhea Clarke and Giselle Chicot retain their spots amongst the replacements.

Roma Fraser completes the matchday 23, the winger returning to Glasgow Warriors action after missing out on the last two rounds of Celtic Challenge fixtures.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Laidlaw told glasgowwarriors.org: “We’ve had a bit of time to sit down and reflect on the programme so far, and the girls have come back in this week with a great energy ready to get stuck in.

“We’re pleased to reward Eve Thomson for her efforts with an opportunity to earn her first start, and Megan Hyland has worked incredibly hard for her shot on the bench too. They’re two players who work hard and are well liked within the group, and we look forward to seeing them on Saturday.

“The experience of Mairi [McDonald] and Beth [Blacklock] in the back line will also be invaluable, and we’re excited to welcome Beth to the group. It’s a team we feel can go out and do the job, and we look forward to running out at home again tomorrow.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Clovers at Scotstoun Stadium, Saturday 27 January, kick-off 2pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Ailie Tucker
2 Nikki Simpson
3 Eilidh Fleming
4 Eve Thomson
5 Emma Turner (CC)
6 Holland Bogan
7 Izzy Hannay
8 Lucy Winter

9 Mairi McDonald
10 Ceitidh Ainsworth
11 Phaedra Snailham
12 Beth Blacklock
13 Lucy MacRae
14 Sky Phimister
15 Carla McDonald

Replacements

16 Karis Craig
17 Demi Swann
18 Chloe Brown
19 Ellie Williamson
20 Megan Hyland
21 Rhea Clarke (CC)
22 Giselle Chicot
23 Roma Fraser