Squad named to face Gwalia Lightning

• 5 Jan 2024

Chris Laidlaw names squad to face Gwalia Lightning on Sunday 7 January in the second round of the Celtic Challenge.

The squad has a number of changes following last weekend’s opening match against Edinburgh.

Louise McMillan returns to Premiership Women’s Rugby Club, Saracens, which sees Ellie Williamson join the team after not being involved last weekend.

Demi Swann joins the starting line-up after being unwell last weekend and Allie Tucker moves to the bench as a replacement.

The rest of the forward pack remains unchanged as Nikki Simpson, Eilidh Flemming and Co-Captain Emma Turner all start once more.

Holland Bogan and Lucy Winter are selected in the back-row with Alex Love joining them to complete the trio as Izzy Hannay moves to the bench.

Ceitidh Ainsworth starts at fly-half with Scotland scrum-half Mairi McDonald joining her on the pitch.  Co-Captain Rhea Clarke will start as a replacement having switched with McDonald.

Lucy MacRae and Claudia McLaren remain as centres following their performances last week in the opening round.

The back-three sees Pearl Kellie and Sky Phimister joined by Kiyomi Honjigawa from Cougars to start this weekend’s match.  Kellie took to the pitch early on from the bench last week following injury as Phimister showed tenacity throughout the 80 minutes.

The replacements include Karis Craig, Sophie Anderson and Carla McDonald once more as Ailie Tucker, Izzy Hannay and Rhea Clarke join from last weeks starting group. Chloe Brown and Giselle Chicot join the bench to complete the squad.

Brown of Stirling County was not involved in last weeks match and Chicot from Heriots joins the squad ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Laidlaw said: “After the great occasion that it was last week it’s been great to get back in this week, review the Edinburgh game and prepare for the challenge of heading down to Wales for this weekend’s game against Gwalia”

“A few players will get their first opportunity to play for Warriors this weekend which is exciting for us and starts to build more competition for places within the group which is what we will need during this competition to be competitive.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Gwalia Lightening at Cardiff Arms Park, Sunday 7 January 2024, kick-off 1.30pm. You can watch the match live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

1. Demi Swann
2. Nikki Simpson
3. Eilidh Flemming
4. Emma Turner CC
5. Ellie Williamson
6. Holland Boga
7. Lucy Winter
8. Alex Love
9. Mairi McDonald
10. Ceitidh Ainsworth
11. Pearl Kellie
12. Lucy MacRae
13. Claudia McLaren
14. Sky Phimister
15. Kiyomi Honjigawa

Replacements

16. Karis Craig
17. Allie Tucker
18. Chloe Brown
19. Sophie Anderson
20. Izzy Hannah
21. Rhea Clark
22. Carla McDonald
23. Giselle Chicot