Flynn returns for derby match
5 Mar 2026Glasgow Warriors Women Head Coach Lindsey Smith has named the starting line-up for this Friday’s inter-city derby against Edinburgh Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium (6 March, kick-off 7.30pm) – live on BBC Sport
Nicole Flynn is one of six changes to the starting line-up, with the outside centre returning from injury to feature in her first game since January.
Megan Hyland and Katie Lindsay join the starting line-up to start at hooker and tighthead prop respectively, while Poppy Mellanby returns to start at full-back.
There are a further two positional changes as Sky Phimister moves to the wing, while Briar McNamara switches to inside centre.
The changed front-row sees Hyland pack down alongside Poppy Fletcher and Lindsay, while Smith opts for a settled second-row, with Holland Bogan once again linking-up with Sophie Murphy.
An unchanged back-row sees Gemma Thomson and Eilidh MacGilvray start on the flanks, with Emily Coubrough continuing at number eight.
Rianna Darroch and Ceitidh Ainsworth continue their half-back pairing, while McNamara combines with Flynn in the midfield.
The back-three sees Mellanby start at full-back, with Phimister and Claudia McLaren lining-up on the wings.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Smith said: “The inter-city derby always carries an extra edge and we’re fully aware of how important this fixture is – not just in terms of local pride, but for our play-off ambitions as well.
“We know the quality Edinburgh have and how dangerous they can be if you allow them momentum. But we’ve shown that we can create and finish opportunities and we’ve demonstrated the resilience that’s needed in high-pressure games.
“We’ve already broken records this weekend, as for the first time ever we will have over 1,000 supporters in attendance for a stand-alone women’s match which is fantastic and we’re determined to put in a performance that the home crowd can be proud of.”
Glasgow Warriors Women team to face Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge at Scotstoun Stadium (Friday 6 March, kick-off 7.30pm)
1. Poppy Fletcher
2. Megan Hyland
3. Katie Lindsay
4. Holland Bogan (co-captain)
5. Sophie Murphy
6. Gemma Thomson
7. Eilidh MacGilvray
8. Emily Coubrough
9. Rianna Darroch
10. Ceitidh Ainsworth (co-captain)
11. Sky Phimister
12. Briar McNamara
13. Nicole Flynn
14. Claudia McLaren
15. Poppy Mellanby
Replacements
16. Aicha Sutcliffe
17. Freya Gracie
18. Imogen Spence
19. Freya Walker
20. Shelley Main
21. Millie Warren
22. Hannah Smyth
23. Robynn Gibson
