Glasgow Warriors announce new contracts ahead of 2026/27 Celtic Challenge
10 Jun 2026Glasgow Warriors is pleased to announce the first wave of players set to join the club ahead of the 2026/27 Celtic Challenge campaign.
The moves come as Scottish Rugby continues to build its new and enhance women’s performance and pathways system, with some of the country’s brightest young talents returning to Scotland ahead of the new season.
The nine new players will link up with the Warriors ahead of the new Celtic Challenge campaign, with fixture details to be confirmed in due course by the competition organisers.
Joining the club ahead of the 2026/27 season will be:
Elliann Clarke
Tight-head Clarke brings a wealth of international and PWR experience to Scotstoun, after agreeing to join younger sister Rhea in becoming a Glasgow Warrior ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
First capped in August 2022, the 25-year-old has gone on to earn 29 caps to date for Scotland, including featuring at the Rugby World Cup in both 2022 and 2025.
Having started her rugby career at Dunfermline, Clarke represented Stirling County from the age of 11, winning the U18 Cup in 2017 and 2019.
She was at the heart of the Bristol squad that reached the 2023/24 PWR Final, providing set-piece expertise and dynamic ball-carrying for the West Country squad.
Away from rugby, the prop possesses a BSc in Agricultural Science from the University of Edinburgh.
Speaking following the announcement, Clarke told glasgowwarriors.org: “I’m very happy to be joining Glasgow next season.
“It’s a very exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to challenging myself in a new environment.
“The club has a great culture and play an exciting brand of rugby which I can’t wait to be part of.”
Rhea Clarke
Clarke returns to Glasgow Warriors after a season-long stint with Bristol Bears, the scrum-half having made the move south from Edinburgh last summer.
Prior to her time with the capital outfit, the livewire number nine had served as co-captain during Glasgow’s inaugural season in the Celtic Challenge, leading the squad into the 2023/24 campaign and making seven appearances for the Scotstoun squad.
Having come through the age grades at Dunfermline and Stirling County – lifting the U18 Cup in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019 with the latter – Clarke then represented the University of Edinburgh, helping her side to the BUCS Cup final in 2021/22.
She made her senior Scotland debut off the bench against England in the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, having previously represented her country at U18 and U20 levels.
Clarke made Scottish rugby history in 2025, becoming part of the first set of sisters to be named in the same Rugby World Cup squad when earning selection alongside older sister Elliann.
“I’m really excited to be heading back to Glasgow Warriors,” Clarke told glasgowwarriors.org.
“The club has been a special part of my journey and plays a really exciting brand of rugby.
“I’m looking forward to continuing my development and contributing everything I can to help the team continue to grow.”
Holly McIntyre
23-year-old McIntyre joins Glasgow Warriors from French heavyweights Montpellier, making 10 appearances to help her side to a fifth-place finish in the 2025/26 Elite One competition.
Born in Ayr, the centre came through the ranks with her hometown club, also representing Kyle Academy in her youth career.
Her form was rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland squad during the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, having previously been involved with the squad ahead of WXV2 in 2023 and Scotland U20 as an overage player selected in the 2025 U20 Summer Series.
She also represented Scotland 7s at U18 level, lining up alongside future Glasgow Warriors team-mate Evie Wills in the squad.
A former captain of the Scottish Futures programme, McIntyre graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Interior Design.
“I’m super excited to be signing for Glasgow Warriors next season,” the centre told glasgowwarriors.org.
“I grew up in Ayr and played for Ayr until I was 17, so I’ve always been a Glasgow fan. When I was in the minis, I even got to play on the Scotstoun pitch at half-time during the men’s games, so to now be joining the club now really feels like a real full-circle moment.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Scotland, representing the west, and getting stuck in.”
Gemma Bell
Bell returns to Glasgow Warriors on a full-time basis ahead of the 2026/27 season, having made 11 appearances for Lindsey Smith’s squad across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Celtic Challenge campaigns.
The 21-year-old has become a fixture in the Glasgow back-row during her time at the club, primarily lining up at openside but comfortable across the three back-row positions.
She moves to Scotstoun after coming through the Gloucester-Hartpury pathway system, representing Hartpury University with distinction at British Universities and Colleges [BUCS] level.
Named as the Most Valuable Player for Scotland U20 at the 2024 U20 Summer Series, Bell made her senior international debut by coming off the bench against England at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in April 2025, featuring in the extended training squad named in preparation for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Bell was added to the Scotland squad ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations following a barnstorming Celtic Challenge campaign in Glasgow colours, representing Scotland U21 in addition to training with the senior squad.
“I’m delighted to be back at Glasgow Warriors Women and to be moving back to Scotland,” Bell told glasgowwarriors.org.
“It’s a great group to be a part of, and I’m very excited for what’s ahead.”
Becky Boyd
Comfortable in both the second-row and back-row, 22-year-old Boyd makes the switch to Scotstoun following a breakout campaign in Scotland colours to date.
Having made her debut during the 2025 Guinness Six Nations with three appearances off the bench, she made her first start for her country in this year’s clash with France in Edinburgh.
Boyd has made 27 appearances to date for Loughborough Lightning, 13 of which have come during the 2025/26 campaign.
She began her rugby journey at Newark RFC, qualifying for Scotland through her Glaswegian grandfather.
A presence in both attack and defence, only Lilli Ives Campion has stolen more lineout ball for Loughborough Lightning than Boyd across the 2025/26 season to date.
Speaking following the announcement, Boyd told glasgowwarriors.org. “I’m really excited for the new experience with Glasgow in the Celtic Challenge.
“I’m looking forward to working with a group of new players and I’m looking forward to being a Warrior.”
Fi McIntosh
A former rower in her youth, McIntosh joins Glasgow Warriors from Harlequins having crafted a reputation as a first-class lineout operator in the PWR.
Only Ireland international Sam Monaghan and 2022 world champion Black Fern, Maia Roos, have stolen more lineouts than McIntosh’s tally of seven this season, whilst she also sits second behind England’s Lilli Ives Campion for total lineouts won across the 2025/26 season.
The 26-year-old made the move to the Twickenham Stoop last summer, helping her new side to glory in the 2025 Melrose 7s.
She has previously picked up a PWR league winner’s medal in 2022 during a five-year spell with Saracens, starting in the play-off final victory over Exeter Chiefs.
McIntosh made her senior Scotland debut in April 2024, lining up in the second-row against England in Edinburgh.
“I’m very excited to be signing for Glasgow,” the second-rower told glasgowwarriors.org.
“Having played in the Celtic Challenge before, I’m looking forward to the opportunities it brings.
“I’ve enjoyed watching Glasgow this season and I’m excited to be a part of what they are building.”
Anne Young
A fixture in recent Scotland squads, Young returns to Glasgow following four years in the PWR, having first represented Sale Sharks before moving to Loughborough Lightning ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Born in Stevenage, the 26-year-old began her rugby journey at the age of 10, running out for Helensburgh Rugby Club alongside her twin sister, Eleanor.
She was named in the Hillhead Jordanhill matchday squad for the 2018 Sarah Beaney Cup Final after just a handful of matches in senior rugby, helping her side to a 68-12 victory over Watsonians at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
First called up to a senior Scotland squad in 2019, Young made her international debut in November 2021 when running out against Japan, earning 22 caps to date.
She featured at both the 2022 and 2025 Rugby World Cup tournaments, whilst she also possesses an MA in Social Anthropology and Politics from the University of Edinburgh.
“I grew up supporting Glasgow Warriors and have been a season ticket holder since they moved to Scotstoun,” Young told glasgowwarriors.org.
“I’m really looking forward to be playing for a club that has been such a big part of my life growing up. Watching them in the Celtic Challenge, I’m excited to see what we can do next season.”
Lucia Scott
Utility back Scott makes the makes the move north after a breakout Guinness Six Nations campaign, scoring in Scotland’s victory away to Wales in the opening round of the competition to notch her third try in Scotland colours.
She qualifies for Scotland courtesy of her grandparents, making her senior Scotland debut in a 40-14 win over Wales in Edinburgh in a WXV2 warm-up Test back in September 2024 before scoring her first try for her country in victory over Fiji just a week later.
Scott was a key performer in Hartpury University’s 2022, 2023 and 2024 BUCS Super Rugby title-winning campaigns, as well as scoring on her senior debut for Gloucester-Hartpury in 2022 with a solo try against Darlington Mowden Park at the age of just 18.
A keen footballer in her youth, Scott was once contracted to Oxford United’s academy before committing to rugby.
Speaking following the announcement, the 22-year-old told glasgowwarriors.org: “After watching Glasgow in the Celtic Challenge this year, I’m really excited to get involved with the club.
“I’ve also heard that the people make Glasgow, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Evie Wills
A product of Stirling County RFC, centre Wills returns to Scotland following an impressive season in Sale Sharks colours in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
Comfortable at fly-half as well as centre, the 25-year-old has earned 10 caps for her country to date, making her debut off the bench against Italy at Scotstoun in 2021 and most recently starting at inside centre in this year’s Guinness Six Nations clash with England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
Prior to her move to Sale Sharks last summer, Wills had turned out for Leicester Tigers and Hillhead Jordanhill, starting in the midfield to help the latter lift the Sarah Beaney Cup in 2022.
She has also previously represented Scotland at U18, U20 and 7s levels, and was part of the Scotland squads for both the 2022 and 2025 Rugby World Cups.
Away from rugby, Wills is a qualified nurse after completing her degree at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2023.
“I can’t wait to be back on home soil, especially in a city that has such a special place in my heart,” Wills told glasgowwarriors.org following the news.
“Glasgow fans and family are the best of the best, and I’m sure they are as excited as I am to get the new season of Celtic Challenge underway.”
Scottish Rugby contracted players
In addition to the nine new arrivals, Scottish Rugby has also announced the players who will be contracted for the 2026/27 season as part of a revised contracting model in alignment with the new women’s performance and pathways system.
Scottish Rugby will continue to provide support and access to a group of high-potential players through full performance support with the National Central Programme, National Academy Programme, and then playing their rugby with Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors.
Players supported in Scotland: Gemma Bell, Holland Bogan, Becky Boyd, Elliann Clarke, Rhea Clarke, Rianna Darroch, Nicole Flynn, Fi McIntosh, Holly McIntyre, Lucia Scott, Evie Wills, Anne Young.
Academy contracted players: Ceitidh Ainsworth, Poppy Fletcher, Megan Hyland, Poppy Mellanby, Imogen Spence, Aicha Sutcliffe.
