Turner and Clarke named co-captains for Celtic Challenge

Glasgow Warriors will be led by co-captains in their debut Celtic Challenge campaign, after Emma Turner and Rhea Clarke were selected to head up the club’s leadership team.

The duo’s appointment comes as preparations for the club’s first match in the competition continue at Scotstoun, with Chris Laidlaw’s squad taking on Edinburgh at Hive Stadium at 12pm this Saturday (30 December).

Captain of Corstorphine Cougars, Turner – comfortable in either the second-row or back-row. Turner began her rugby career following a taster session at her school, completing a Modern Apprenticeship in Rugby Coaching before becoming an Assistant Development Officer at the Union Park club.

A ball girl for the Cougars during the 2004 Sarah Beaney Cup final, she then led her side to the same fixture 19 years later.

Turner represented Scotland 7s at both U18 and U19 level. She was named in the senior Scotland training squad for the first time ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Scrum-half Clarke was likewise named in Bryan Easson’s training squad ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations. She started her rugby journey at Dunfermline Minis.

The sister of Scotland international Elliann, she joined Edinburgh University in 2021 to study Scottish History, and represented Scotland 7s at U18 level.

Clarke was also involved in the Scotland Futures squad that travelled to Italy earlier this year. She was part of the Scottish Thistles squad that took part in the inaugural Celtic Challenge last season.

Massive respect

“It’s a huge honour to be named as co-captain alongside Emma,” Clarke told glasgowwarriors.org.

“We’ve each brought our own knowledge to the game around our key areas, but we also have massive respect for each other and the knowledge that everyone brings within the squad.

“We’ve gelled so easily as co-captains and it’s a privilege to be given the opportunity.”

Turner added: “It’s a dream come true, honestly. If you’d told 15-year-old me that I’d be given the opportunity to captain Glasgow Warriors, my head would have fallen off!

“I’m so glad to be sharing this with Rhea. We work really well together. We can rely on each other to share the responsibility on the pitch and in training.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the chance and we can’t wait to get started.”

Drives standards

Head Coach Laidlaw congratulated his co-captains, saying: “It was an easy decision to go with co-captains. Emma and Rhea are both highly respected within our group, both by team-mates and management.

“Both have had exposure to Celtic Challenge already, and bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the table.

“Emma brings a brilliant energy to the group and brings everyone together. Rhea leads by her actions both in training and on the field, driving standards of those around her.

“We’re excited by what they bring to the table, as we are with everyone in this group, and we’re all building towards Saturday.”

Please note: due to limited supply, this Glasgow Warriors playing jersey is not currently available to purchase.