Five changes for Celtic Challenge finale

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 01: Warriors' Mairi McDonald speaks with the squad during a Celtic Challenge match between Glasgow Warriors and Brython Thunder at Scotstoun Stadium, on March 01, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The two teams have recent experience of facing each other, the Welsh outfit having emerged victorious from a hard-fought encounter at Scotstoun just six days ago.

Two of the changes come in the front-row, as Lisa Cockburn – in her first appearance for Glasgow Warriors since January’s visit to Gwalia Lightning – and Aicha Sutcliffe come into the starting lineup to join Poppy Fletcher at the coal face.

Kate Yeomans retains her place in the second-row after an industrious performance last time out, with Freya Walker moving into the engine room having led all Warriors with 14 carries last weekend.

Walker’s move into the second-row allows for the return of Gemma Bell to the starting XV for the first time since the club’s historic win over Edinburgh at Scotstoun last month, the openside linking up with Eilidh MacGilvray and Emily Coubrough as the loose-forward triumvirate.

Mairi McDonald leads the squad from scrum-half, continuing her half-back partnership with Ceitidh Ainsworth for the fourth successive outing in the Celtic Challenge.

Nicole Flynn is retained at outside-centre after making her Glasgow Warriors debut last time out, as the Stirling County midfielder continues her centre combination with the club’s top-scorer, Briar McNamara.

Roma Fraser is promoted to the starting lineup after a sensational solo try off the bench last Saturday, with Emily Norval also returning to the squad to join Orla Proctor in the back-three.

This try though 🤌#WhateverItTakes | @CelticRugbyComp pic.twitter.com/ySmR5ZQPoY

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 2, 2025

Scotland U18 cap Gemma Thomson could make her club debut if called upon from the replacements, after being named in a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time by Smith and her coaching team.

Megan Hyland and Aisha Zameer rotate to the bench after starting last time out, with club captain Ailie Tucker and Alex Ward joining Hyland as the front-row cover for Sunday’s clash.

Abi Evans switches places with Norval in the matchday squad, as Rianna Darroch and Millie Warren round out the replacements.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “This squad has continued to develop week on week during the 2024/25 Celtic Challenge, and everyone is keen to finish the campaign on a high.

“Brython showed the physicality of which they are capable at Scotstoun last weekend, something to which we know we have to front up when we run out in Llanelli on Sunday.

“We’re ready for the challenge that awaits us, and we’re excited to pull on the jersey one more time this season.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Brython Thunder at Parc y Scarlets in the Celtic Challenge, Sunday 9 March, kick-off 12pm. You can watch the match live on YouTube or the BBC Sport website.

1 Poppy Fletcher
2 Aicha Sutcliffe
3 Lisa Cockburn
4 Kate Yeomans
5 Freya Walker
6 Eilidh MacGilvray
7 Gemma Bell
8 Emily Coubrough

9 Mairi McDonald (C)
10 Ceitidh Ainsworth
11 Orla Proctor
12 Briar McNamara
13 Nicole Flynn
14 Emily Norval
15 Roma Fraser

Replacements

16 Megan Hyland
17 Ailie Tucker
18 Alex Ward
19 Aisha Zameer
20 Gemma Thomson
21 Rianna Darroch
22 Millie Warren
23 Abi Evans