Glasgow Warriors team named for Brython Thunder clash

21.02.26 - Gwalia Lightning v Glasgow - Celtic Challenge - Briar McNamara and Cath Richards

With Glasgow Warriors and Brython Thunder currently sitting in fourth and fifth on the competition table respectively – and with only two points separating the sides – this weekend’s fixture will be a significant contest in the hunt for a spot in the play-offs.

Both sides head into the encounter buoyed by their performances last week, with Glasgow Warriors claiming a vital win on the road against Gwalia Lightning, while Brython Thunder defeated current league leaders, Wolfhounds.

Sky Phimister is one of six changes to the starting line-up, with the Stirling County player starting at full-back, while Robyn Allan also returns to the squad to start on the wing and Imogen Spence is promoted from the replacements to start at tighthead prop.

A reshuffle in the backs sees Claudia McLaren switch to the wing, while Millie Warren and Briar McNamara move to inside and outside centre respectively.

Spence is the sole change in the pack, starting in the front-row with loosehead prop Poppy Fletcher and hooker Aicha Sutcliffe.

Holland Bogan continues to link-up with Sophie Murphy in the second-row, while an unchanged back-row sees Gemma Thomson, Eilidh MacGilvray and Emily Coubrough all named once again.

Rianna Darroch and Ceitidh Ainsworth retain their half-back partnership, while Warren and McNamara reunite to form a dynamic centre pairing.

The new back-three sees Allan and McLaren lining-up on the wings, with Phimister starting at full-back.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Smith said: “We were hugely pleased to get the win against Gwalia Lightning in Wales last weekend. There was a clear improvement in how we managed the game across the full 80 minutes and that control across both halves was a big step forward for us.

“With only two regular season games remaining, we understand exactly what’s at stake. This weekend is crucial for our play-off ambitions. Brython Thunder will bring a lot of physicality and we’re under no illusions about the challenge ahead but it’s one we’re ready to meet head-on.”

Get along and support Glasgow Warriors this Saturday as they face Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge, with match tickets available HERE.

Glasgow Warriors Women team to face Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge at Scotstoun Stadium (Saturday 28 February, kick-off 1pm)

1 Poppy Fletcher
2. Aicha Sutcliffe
3. Imogen Spence
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. Robyn Allan
12. Millie Warren
13. Briar McNamara
14. Claudia McLaren
15. Sky Phimister

Replacements

16. Megan Hyland
17. Freya Gracie
18. Katie Lindsay
19. Freya Walker
20. Shelley Main
21. Rebekah Douglas
22. Hannah Smyth
23. Emily Norval