After a hesitant start two years ago, when teams played each other only once, the Challenge has developed promisingly, leading players forcing their way into national squads for the Six Nations. Ireland and Scotland are the two to have flourished most obviously. The performances of Brython and Gwalia will indicate how far Cymru has recovered from its latest setbacks.

This season offers “enhanced operating standards”, though they haven’t yet been spelled out. Perhaps they will include closer alignment of selection. The three nations had their own individual approaches; some teams had multiple test players aboard, others none. Alex Callender captained Brython.

And once again it was not felt necessary to present a complete programme at the first announcement, so full details of fixtures, dates, squads and coaching teams will come later.

Dates: December 2024 – January 2025

Once more the fixtures are shoehorned into the least welcoming part of the year, either side of New Year’s Day. We can only hope for favourable weather. At least they give national selectors the chance to inspect a wider choice of players to compete in Six Nations squads two months later.

The Six Clubs:

Ireland – Clovers (Connacht and Munster) and Wolfhounds (Leinster and Ulster)
Scotland – Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors
Wales – Brython Thunder (west and north Wales) and Gwalia Lightning (east Wales)

Last season the two Irish clubs proved the strongest, Wolfhounds beating Clovers in the play-offs.

Team News

Thus far, only Glasgow Warriors have confirmed their core squad of 30:

Ailie Tucker (Watsonian), Alex Love (West of Scotland), Alison Orr (Biggar), Beth Tobin (Hillhead Jordanhill), Carla McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill), Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County), Charlotte Burrows (Garioch), Chloe Brown (Stirling County), Claudia McClaren (Stirling County), Debbie Lee (Hillhead Jordanhill), Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County), Ellie Williamson (West of Scotland), Emma Turner (Corstorphine Cougars), Eve Thomson (Hillhead Jordanhill), Hannah McMahon (Edinburgh University), Holland Bogan (Stirling County), Kaylee Fraser (Corstorphine Cougars), Karis Craig (Watsonian), Kirsty Ritchie (Biggar), Lucy MacRae (Edinburgh University), Lucy Winter (Watsonian), Megan Hyland (Garioch), Nikki Simpson (Garioch), Pearl Kellie (Heriot’s Blues), Pheadra Snailham (Stewartry Sirens), Rebekah Douglas (Corstorphine Cougars), Rhea Clarke (Edinburgh University),
Roma Fraser (Hillhead Jordanhill), Sky Phimister (Stirling County), Sophie Anderson (Watsonian)

Sporting Language

It seems a pity that the announcement has to be couched in the now fashionable hyped-up language. It offers us:

“All participating teams are embracing a greater platform”. How big a platform have you embraced? And “aligning with enhanced Operating Standards that will deliver greater visibility for supporters”. Does ‘greater visibility’ mean telescopes provided?

The phrase “top-tier talent” leaves you wondering what tier international players achieve. And “the talent, strategies, and personalities that will drive this season’s excitement”? Will head coaches be revealing their strategies so openly?

The 2024/25 competition continues its expansion as the biggest and best competition yet, with a full league season of 10 rounds, and six teams playing five home and five away fixtures each, before concluding their season in March ahead of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2025. The overall winner will be determined based on league table standings at the end of the 30-game season.

This season, the first after a successful pilot year, saw some impressive gains with 68 players from the Celtic Challenge going on to feature in this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations competition, with eight making their full international debut for their respective countries, increasing the opportunities available to home-grown talent in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The competition also saw growth off the pitch with increased attendances recorded and broadcast partnerships cemented with BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, and Rugby Pass TV, with all matches streamed live, driving visibility around the world and bringing new fans to the game.

The Celtic Challenge is the first women’s cross-border club competition, organised by the IRFU, Scottish Rugby, and WRU with support from World Rugby. The tournament provides a high-performance platform for young female players and helps bridge the gap between the domestic and international women’s games in the three Celtic nations.

Gillian McDarby, Irish Rugby’s Head of Women’s Performance & Pathways said: “Last year the Celtic Challenge competition provided valuable game time for emerging talent and is an important platform for growing the game in Ireland. With the continued investment in developing our pathways, the competition remains integral to ensuring we have a competitive Irish national team.”

Nigel Walker, Welsh Rugby Union’s Executive Director of Rugby, said: “The Celtic Challenge is a key part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s strategy for the women’s game in Wales and has already seen the likes of Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones, Molly Reardon, Catherine Richards and Mollie Wilkinson play in the tournament and then make their Wales debuts in the recent Six Nations campaign.

“It has already proved its value from a performance point of view and players and coaches will see it as a pivotal step in the pathway to professional and international recognition. We are highly ambitious around the Celtic Challenge and our two teams – Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder. We believe it has just scratched the surface and has an exciting future.”

Gemma Fay, Head of Women & Girls’ Strategy at Scottish Rugby, said: “The 2023/24 iteration of the Celtic Challenge has been successful for Scottish Rugby in supporting us to provide another step in our pipeline to international rugby in Scotland. We have seen 35 players move from our pathway to playing for Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors, with six of those training with Scotland Women during the Guinness Six Nations including Alex Stewart who earned her first cap.

“The expansion of the competition this season has also given us strong benchmarks to work from both on and off the pitch – from results, player development, media to spectators – and we look forward to exploring how we can further support this for next season.”

Further details including fixtures and launch dates are set to be released ahead of the 2024/25 season and can be found at celticrugbycomp.com.

With thanks to World Rugby

Results

Clovers 12 Edinburgh R 12
Brython Thunder 30 Gwalia Lightning 5

The Table                                               W    D     L    Pts

Wolfhounds                                            6     1      0     32
Edinburgh Rugby                                  4     2      1     25
Clovers                                                     3      1     3     17
Gwalia Lightning                                   3      0     4    16
Brython Thunder                                   3      0     4    16
Glasgow Warriors                                  0      0     7     1

Despite all the optimistic noises coming from three capitals, it’s impossible to say how the competition will have affected the Six Nations.

This is largely due to the sensible agreement made at the start that each union could choose its own path. That meant above all, who to select for each match, test players with 50 caps or 18-year-old newbies?

In the event Brython Thunder included highly experienced forwards who carried all before them; Glasgow Warriors didn’t.

This reflected on national policies: what did the head coaches want to achieve from the newly extended competition? Were they anxious to strengthen certain parts of the field? Or were they happy to note players for a more distant international future? Close co-operation between national and team coaches was vital.

Glasgow Warriors finished last of the six, but two of their players have just been called up into the 34-strong Scotland squad. They are Holland Bogan and Nikki Simpson. The differences between the pair are interesting in themselves. Bogan, just 18, represents the new order, coming through the junior pathways and impressing the selectors enough to be called up to the big time.

Simpson marks the other type of player Scotland needs to bulk out its strength. She is seven years older than her Warriors team-mate, and might have missed out completely, had it not been for the extra exposure the CC offered her.

It’s to their credit that the pair have been singled out, as Warriors are the one team to go through the tournament winless.

A gratifying feature of the championship has been the tightness of so many games. It’s reflected in the table above. Take away the top and bottom teams, and you see four sides scrapping away in tense encounters. Outsiders might think that is what is best for the Celtic nations. They may not agree.

A brief note on the two Round 8 matches

This last round was a rare chance for customers to act as neutral observers, watching two cross-border teams.

Brython Thunder v Gwalia Lightning

Brython were intent on giving Sioned Harries the best possible send-off after she announced her decision to retire after a meritorious career in the red shirt (78 caps, 28 tries). In front of a 700-strong crowd she signed off with a typical try and a far less typical drop-goal. Long live the drop-goal!

The Thunder management could be pleased with the way their charges finished the campaign. They completed one of the few high-scoring victories.

Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby

Clovers played out a tense draw with Edinburgh on their first visit to Welsh soil. The 12-all result was a great improvement on the 35-21 loss they had suffered in the reverse match. They were on top for much of the first half, but the scoreboard had nothing to say for their efforts. Instead, Briar McNamara, who has been so influential in the Scottish centre, scored the solitary try.

Clovers came back strongly. Tries by Clare Gorman and Clara Barrett put them ahead 12-7, but just before the last trumpet Rhona Lloyd came to the Scots’ rescue with a typical score.

So what has been a tight, hard-fought campaign all through finished fittingly with scores level.

Now we’ll see what the three national head coaches made of all that effort.

Unlike the earlier game in Edinburgh there was a damp start here at Scotstoun, so Thunder kept the ball close, working methodically.

That worked well till the first time Coreen Grant touched the ball. She ran right through into the Welsh 22 and gained a penalty. Lucy MacRae celebrated her first successful kick at this level. 3-0

Brython were all over Glasgow at a set-scrum, and Mollie Wilkinson made a mazy run to the line. When the ball went loose, Sioned Harries was the first to pounce on it and score. 3-7

The continuing Glasgow weakness was in the backs; they simply could not string enough accurate passes together to ensure continuity and progress. By contrast, Brython’s pack knew their way around. They drove cleanly over to extend their lead (try Chloe Thomas-Bradley). 3-12

On the half-hour the Welsh backs showed how things should be done. The ball sped out to Eleanor Hing who made a dazzling run. Ceitidh Ainsworth did well to halt her.

The game now came to resemble the earlier contest; both sides throwing the ball around with abandon. But again shortcomings in the hosts’ attacking ploys showed up. An attempted cross-kick saw no team-mate anywhere near where it landed. Fortunately for them a Brython hand knocked the ball on.

Scottish fallibilities became even plainer when a strong attack finished with a kick-through that was touched down safely behind the line. Not the way to ensure a late come-back.

Half-time: 3-12

Warriors got back on track at once. A mislaid Brython pass was snapped up by Claudia McLaren
and she raced over under the posts. 10-12

Then it was Thunder’s turn. The pack took charge and drove over. 10-19 More good work by the pack was rewarded with fine interlinking between Wilkinson and Meg Webb, who sprinted wide into the corner. 10-24. That brought up a Welsh bonus point. Every little helps.

Warriors did well to respond. After several thrusts by the pack, Ainsworth hoisted a kick to the right; it bounced, but into the hands of Roma Fraser. 17-24

In the closing minutes, they had a short and a long-term target: to get a first bonus-point to rid themselves of that unwanted 0 against their name; and to score one, or better two tries to wrest a first victory from the opposition.

In the event, they could achieve neither. They came within that one score, but their fruitless campaign continues. Rather than aim any blame at the players, I must wonder whether the coaching staff have been at their most efficient in preparing their charges. Their reading of the game has seemed laboured all through the series. Basic team-skills, not least at the line-out and back-alignment, have been below par.

Result: 17-24

Teams

Glasgow Warriors:

1 Ailie Tucker, 2 Nikki Simpson, 3 Chloe Brown, 4 Sophie Anderson, 5 Ellie Williamson, 6 Holland Bogan, 7 Izzy Hannay, 8 Megan Hyland, 9 Rhea Clarke (captain), 10 Ceitidh Ainsworth, 11 Roma Fraser, 12 Giselle Chicot, 13 Claudia McLaren, 14 Coreen Grant,15 Lucy MacRae

Bench:
16 Kaylee Fraser, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Debbie Lee, 19 Eve Thomson, 20 Lucy Winter, 21 Alex Love, 22 Priya Crawford,23 Carla McDonald

Brython Thunder:

1 Chloe Thomas-Bradley, 2 Rosie Carr 3 Katie Carr 4 Natalia John 5 Shona Wakley 6 Finley Jones, 7 Alex Callender (captain) 8 Sioned Harries, 9 Seren Singleton, 10 Mollie Wilkinson, 11 Amy Williams, 12 Meg Webb, 13 Savannah Picton-Powell, 14 Eleanor Hing, 15 Lauren Smyth

Bench: 16 Amy Morgan, 17 Erica Kissinger, 18 Cadi-Lois Davies, 19 Charlie Mundy 20 Katie Bevans, 21 Niamh Terry, 22 Lowri Williams, 23 Eve Dutton

Afterthought

The question of player-choice in this series continues to fascinate. Here at Scotstoun half the Welsh pack had 190 caps between them. That is one extreme. By strong contrast Warriors’ selectors put their faith in the up-and-coming. Fine, but what is the effect of sustaining a series of losses, however narrow? Wouldn’t the odd ‘old’ head amongst them have been of benefit?

Equally, how much do the Welsh national selectors gain by seeing seasoned players turning out yet again in a setting like this?

This was the game unbeaten Wolfhounds needed to ensure the trophy. It turned into a humdinger.
Edinburgh put up two testing kicks at the start, but it was Wolfhounds who scored the first try. The ball flicked out to Ellen Boylan on the left with good control. 0-5

But Edinburgh had Emma Orr on their side. She sudddenly burst through midfield, offered a swerve and a hand-off and was over, her fourth try of the campaign. 5-5

Wolfhounds were more efficient at this stage, the line-outs straighter, players running hard on to passes from the base of the ruck, unlike their opponents.

As the game developed, they added safe and telling off-loads to their repertoire, nothing showy, simply what the opposition didn’t want them to achieve. But after a long period on top, they found themsleves defending madly. Briar McNamara fed Cieron Bell, who was stopped just short on the left. But the referee had spotted an off-side, so Edinburgh had a free hand. The ball whipped into the centre, where, you may not be surprised to hear, it was Orr who snapped the line in two to run in under the posts. 12-5

Two minutes before the break Wolfhounds got the reward they deserved. A scrum near the hosts’ line caved in. Grace Moore tapped but was just held out. Instead, Christy Haney was there to finish the job.

Half-time 12-12

Another entertainingly close game; the second spell promised even better. Edinburgh scored a wonderful try. The pack worked hard in midfield, then the backs manufactured space cleverly – a double mis-pass, then a loop – leaving Bell enough room to canter over for her fifth of the campaign. McNamara fed her a beautiful pass. 19-12

Time for Alcorn to introduce Linda Djougang to rectify matters. Wolfhounds built methodically again, but as they drove over the line, the call once more was ‘held up!’

The next moment, there was Orr popping an overhead pass into Bell’s hands but she couldn’t quite make the line. No matter, they now copied Wolfhounds’ model of ball retention, hammering at the line for Alex Stewart to get the vital touchdown. That was the bonus point, if not conclusive victory. 26-12

On 70 minutes Wolfhounds opted for a scrum at a penalty a distance out. It took them a long time to make this superiority tell. Only four minutes were left when Linda Djougang forced her way over to give her team their first score since the break. Nikki Caughey hurried her kick, but didn’t muff it. 26-19.

Three minutes on the clock.

Edinburgh hadn’t sealed the deal; Wolfhounds weren’t the unbeaten side by chance. They attacked decisively as the clock turned red, and Katie Corrigan was allowed to run in under the posts for an easy conversion.

Result: 26-26 (that score again!)

This late riposte undid Edinburgh’s chances of overtaking the leaders. Where had that 14-point lead gone?

Teams:

Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 4. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 5. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars),
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench:
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Molly Poolman (Watsonian), 19. Nathasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 20. Gemma Bell (Hartpury University), 21. Zoe Turner (Corstorphine Cougars), 22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 23. Rhona Lloyd (GB Sevens)

Wolfhounds
15. Ava Ryder (Connacht), 14. Katie Corrigan (Leinster), 13. Leah Tarpey (Leinster), 12. Katie Heffernan (Leinster), 11. Ellen Boylan (Munster), 10. Nikki Caughey (Leinster), 9. Jade Gaffney (Leinster), 1. Aoife Moore (Leinster), 2. Meabh Clenaghan (Ulster), 3. Christy Haney (Leinster), 4. Eimear Corri (Leinster), 5. Hannah O’Connor (Leinster), 6. Claire Boles (Ulster), 7. Molly Boyne (captain, Leinster), 8. Grace Moore (Saracens)

Bench:
16. India Daley (Ulster), 17. Linda Djougang (Leinster), 18. Sophie Barrett (Ulster), 19. Fiona Tuite (Ulster), 20. Keelin Brady (Ulster), 21. Katie Whelan (Leinster), 22. Abby Moyles (Ulster), 23. Kelly McCormill (Ulster)

Officials:
Referee: David Young
ARs: Calum Lazenby and David Changleng with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The Table                                                W    D    L    Pts

Wolfhounds                                            5     1      0      27
Edinburgh Rugby                                  4      1     1      23
Clovers                                                     3      0     2      14
Gwalia Lightning                                   2      0     3      12
Brython Thunder                                   1      0     4        6
Glasgow Warriors                                  0     0     5        0

The game in Edinburgh brings the top two sides together. Unbeaten Wolfhounds have to travel to take on second-placed Edinburgh Rugby.

This is the opening round of the playoffs, so final outcomes wait till later, but the contest presents a chance for both sides to stake a first claim on the trophy.

Inevitably the head coaches are pulling out all the stops. One stop Scottish fans may not have realised their organ possesses is Rhona Lloyd (pictured above), who is suddenly produced out of the magician’s hat, or perhaps smuggled out of GB 7s den (that’s three metaphors jammed together!). If she is allowed off the bench, she will make her debut for her native city. But only if! As Lloyd appears, so Lisa Thomson disappears. They’ll miss her kicking skills.

Claire Cruikshank’s side saw off the other Irish side, Clovers, with a bonus point, but this will be a different test. Wolfhounds’ 5 out of 5 points to a teaky unit that is hard to break down and keep down. Cruikshank has made minimal changes: Briar McNamara is restored to inside-centre; Fi McIntosh strengthens the pack as she returns to the second row. The one other prospective debutant alongside Lloyd is Zoe Turner at scrum-half.

Neill Alcorn, head coach of the Wolfhounds, has made four changes: Christy Haney comes in at tight-head, and the Saracen, Grace Moore, wears No 8. Out behind Ellen Boylan starts on the left wing and Leah Tarpey at No 13.

One slight difference in approach is seen in the clubs the players hail from. The hosts offer three from PWR clubs, the visitors only one. But that is the whole point of the enterprise: the emphasis is laid strongly on home-grown talent. The elite squad can look after itself for the present.

The capital side lie a whole four points behind their opponents, so are under no illusions about the task they are taking on. But they have had sufficient success in recent weeks to feel really buoyed.

A brief reminder: the six teams have divided into two pools, based on earlier results. Edinburgh find themsleves taking on both the Irish sides in Pool A.

Teams:
Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 4. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 5. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars),
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench:
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Molly Poolman (Watsonian), 19. Nathasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 20. Gemma Bell (Hartpury University), 21. Zoe Turner (Corstorphine Cougars), 22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 23. Rhona Lloyd (GB Sevens)

Wolfhounds
15. Ava Ryder (Connacht), 14. Katie Corrigan (Leinster), 13. Leah Tarpey (Leinster), 12. Katie Heffernan (Leinster), 11. Ellen Boylan (Munster), 10. Nikki Caughey (Leinster), 9. Jade Gaffney (Leinster), 1. Aoife Moore (Leinster), 2. Meabh Clenaghan (Ulster), 3. Christy Haney (Leinster), 4. Eimear Corri (Leinster), 5. Hannah O’Connor (Leinster), 6. Claire Boles (Ulster), 7. Molly Boyne (captain, Leinster), 8. Grace Moore (Saracens)

Bench:
16. India Daley (Ulster), 17. Linda Djougang (Leinster), 18. Sophie Barrett (Ulster), 19. Fiona Tuite (Ulster), 20. Keelin Brady (Ulster), 21. Katie Whelan (Leinster), 22. Abby Moyles (Ulster), 23. Kelly McCormill (Ulster)

Officials:
Referee: David Young
ARs: Calum Lazenby and David Changleng with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The other game taking place the same day is Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder at Scotstoun, Glasgow.

As usual, the games will be transmitted live and free by rugbypass.tv

England
France
Wales
Scotland
Italy
Ireland

We must start there, since it is the end goal, the raison d’être, of the newly extended Celtic Challenge. It shows the three competitors placed third, fourth and sixth. It was Ireland’s turn to finish last, and they were the union keenest on rectifying the issue.

We get a measure of their success in the final CC table before the play-offs:

Wolfhounds (I)
Edinburgh Rugby (S)
Clovers (I)
Gwalia Lighning (W)
Brython Thunder (W)
Glasgow Warriors (S)

So Ireland took the honours by being the only nation to enter both teams into Pool A of the knock-outs.

The Advantages the CC has brought

Coaching staffs have been able to assess the progress of players beyond the prospective first-choice squad, away from the hectic drama of the 6N itself.

They were given elbow-room to decide how many capped players they selected for the opening rounds. Inevitably some of these stars stood out by their excellence. One such was Emma Orr, who offers a prototype of what Scottish rugby must be hoping for in the future: a quality player perfectly happy to remain at home, not lured south to join a PWR club (not yet, anyway).

Very few games finished with a one-sided result. Players were coming together with minimum togetherness, but that is not the sole reason for the tightness of so many fixtures. There was hot rivalry in every game. Personal, team and national honour was at stake.

Above all the CC has forced any dilatory union into ensuring an improved pathway for its younger players, a feature which local critics have been very vocal about. Now we have seen 19-year-old Sadhbh McGrath honoured with the captaincy of her side. So improvements have come.

It’s still a moot point how far seasoned internationals have infuenced results. While Wolfhounds’ unbeaten record is due, in part at least, to the presence of Linda Djougang up front and Dannah O’Brien at 10, Alex Callender and Sioned Harries weren’t able to affect Brython Thunder’s results to the same extent. Rugby must be a team game after all.

I remain concerned about Scotland’s progress. Though Edinburgh have come through well to finish second, the thinness of Scottish scope is revealed in Glasgow’s halting progress. A nation cannot really hope to thrive on the presence of just two principal cities. The SRU still has hard work to do to encourage more players from all over the country to take up the game and prove their worth. Let Emma Orr, all the way from South Lanarkshire, be their guide.

Next Stage

A brief pause between the two stages gives everyone the chance to catch their breath and take stock.

We can sense a degree of doubt in the organisers’ minds as they decided on the best route forward to the play-offs. In the event we have two pools, splitting the above table into 1-3 and 4-6.

One glance at the future calendar below reveals the complications. We find four teams playing each other at home, while two others travel to a neutral ground. Six is an awkward number of competitors to deal with. But an extension to eight teams won’t work; eight isn’t divisible by three.

Saturday 17 February:
Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder; Scotstoun, Glasgow
Edinburgh Rugby v Wolfhounds, The Hive, Edinburgh

Saturday 24 February:
Gwalia Lighning v Glasgow Warriors; Kingspan, Belfast
Wolfhounds v Clovers; Kingspan, Belfast

Sunday 3 March:
Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby; Parc y Scarlets
Brython Thunder v Gwalia Lighning; Parc y Scarlets

The Proof of the Pudding

The 6N results will decide how successful each union has been in its approach to the CC, but head coaches must be grateful for the chance to view so many players outside last year’s national squad. And they will still have time (three weeks) to invite the best of the new crop into training sessions with the chosen few before the 6N kicks off on 23 March.

Nor should we forget the benefits brought to the coaching teams. While some, like Scott Bemand, have experience of preparing many squads for big tournaments, others will have profited from building new teams from scratch and deciding what changes, if any, to make from round to round. And even Bemand will be grateful for the chance to cast his eye over a wider catch of players as he rebuilds a team that has suffered sad reverses recently.

Memo: all the matches, past and future, can be viewed in full free of charge on rugbypass.tv

Quite apart from some intense men’s Six Nations matches, there was competition in the women’s sector all over the place: a European Championship match, three PWR games, and the end of the first stage of the Celtic Challenge. All covered here in brief.

European Championship – Netherlands 59 Sweden 0, Amsterdam

A one-sided show, bringing as much heartache for Tamara Taylor and her Nordic side as delight
for the Oranjes.

The good news here is that the top end of the Euro champs has been extended to four nations, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. It is the last two who have been making waves recently. The only pity is that all four are located in western Europe. The presence of an all-Georgian team of officials in Amsterdam reminds us of the importance of the other half of the continent.

Referee: Nino Eloshvili (GEO)
ARs: Khaka Gelozia (GEO) and Mariam Goguadze (GEO)

Next match: 24 February, Portugal v Netherlands, Lisbon

PWR – Round 10

Leicester Tigers 26 Gloucester-Hartpury 33
Bristol Bears 22 Exeter Chiefs 12
Saracens 48 Trailfinders 17

Bottom versus top should have led to an inevitable result, but Tigers rattled the apple-cart by taking the lead through Roisin McBrien. Even more surprising, they led the champions at the break 19-7.

They gave the cart another shake after the break. Amelia Tutt went over by the corner-flag, and Meg Jones still managed to convert. That was a bonus point for the league stragglers against the unbeaten champions. Funny game, rugby.

Then the progression we had expected before kick-off; G-H started their climb back. Perhaps it was inevitable that the scores were equal as play moved into the last ten minutes, 26-26. That scoreline has a history in the Prem 15s league.

And yes! G-H did get a vital decider through Emma Sing with only two left on the clock. Lleucu George converted that as well. 26-33.

So G-H continue their unbeaten run, but they had to come back from a 19-point deficit. I’m not supposed to say they had their reserve team out today, but they did.

Bristol Bears v Exeter

It was nervously cagey in the first half at Shaftesbury Park. 5-10. But two tries by Debs Wills in four minutes put a smile back on the faces of the viewing faithful. 15-12, and the Bears now had the benefit of the strong wind.

When Meg Varley went over for Bears’ fourth offering, they could begin to breathe more easily. That was the bonus-point and a 10-point gap squeezed open. It was to stay that way till the end, and Bears could look the world squarely in the face, after an up-and-down start to the season.

Back in November I had had them as sure-fire play-off contenders; it has taken them half the season to prove themselves. For Chiefs this was another unwelcome upset to their plans.

Saracens v Trailfinders

It was the usual tale at the StoneX, Sarries far too strong for the visitors, though once again TF were perfectly capable of scoring a string of fine tries. They held Sarries to a 10-point margin to the break, but found keeping defences tight increasingly hard.

Still to come: Quins v Sale Sharks at the Stoop.

Celtic Challenge – Round 5

The weekend matches decided the finishing order for the play-offs yet to come.

Results:

Edinburgh Rugby 35 Clovers 21
Wolfhounds 36 Gwalia Lightning 24
Brython 22 Glasgow Warriors 12

So Wolfhounds completed an unbeaten run and Brython gained their first win.

Edinburgh Rugby v Clovers

A throughly entertaining game, with plenty of movement and endeavour from both sides.

Clovers’ six changes were partly a reward for good performances last time (Panashe Muzambe’s last-minute winning try), and another chance to look at new combinations. The play-offs still beckoned.

The game started fast with good continuity by both sides.

Clovers took the lead as a short chip to the line bounced awkwardly for Edinburgh’s Nicole Marlow, and Alana McInerney was there to touch down. 0-7

Yet another wonderful break by Emma Orr led to the hosts’ opening try. No wonder the Scarratt- Hunt selection partnership opted for her in the 13 shirt for the Lions. Scorer Molly Poolman. 7-7

There was a nasty moment when Méabh Deely turned base over apex in a tackle, but she had leapt into the air pre-contact, so the referee’s verdict was a yellow card only for Nicole Flynn. Edinburgh paid the extra penalty with a try to Niamh O’Dowd after a series of patient build-ups. 7-14

On the half-hour Clovers had their third, quick hands delivering the ball to Chisom Ugwueru on the left. They needed to pile on the points before the break; the wind was proving a valuable friend. They were helped by a wonderful conversion into the strong breeze by Dealy.

Yet another break by Orr brought a try for Millie Whitehouse who latched on to a short pop-pass to go over.

Clovers were relieved to be able to hoof the ball out of play at the end of an exciting half. The one recurrent weakness was losing ball on contact.

Half-time: 12-21

Orr once again finished a flowing move, spotting a gap in the defence line and galloping right through. The momentum was all with them now – so was the wind.

Marlow profited from a penalty right in front to narrow the gap (15-21), but it took the hosts a long while to cash in, the scoreboard stuck on 20-21. Only ten minutes were left when constant pressure led to the captain, Sarah Denholm, crashing over the line. From there they dominated the game, to add another dozen points and ensure entry to Pool A of the play-offs.

Teams:

Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Lisa Thomson (GB Sevens), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury and Cheltenham Tigers), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Molly Poolman (Watsonians), 4. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars), 5. Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 19. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 20. Samanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County), 21. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 22. Briar McNamara (Watsonians), 23. Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh)

Clovers
15. Méabh Deely (Connacht), 14. Chisom Ugwueru (Munster), 13. Aoife Corey (Munster), 12. Kayla Waldron (Connacht), 11. Alana McInerney (Munster), 10. Kate Flannery (Munster), 9. Ailsa Hughes (Leinster), 1. Niamh O’Dowd (Leinster), 2. Beth Buttimer (Munster), 3. Róisín Ormond (Munster), 4. Ruth Campbell (Leinster), 5. Dorothy Wall (captain, Munster), 6. Jane Clohessy (Munster), 7. Brianna Heylmann (Munster), 8. Shannon Touhey (Connacht)

Bench
16. Aoife Fleming (Munster), 17. Grainne Burke (Munster), 18. Roisin Maher (Connacht), 19. Claire Bennett (Munster), 20. Sarah McCormick (Connacht), 21. Muirne Wall (Munster), 22. Michelle O’Driscoll (Munster), 23. Amy Larn (Leinster)

The Table after 5 Rounds                W    L    B    Pts

Pool A Qualifiers
Wolfhounds                                            5     0     4      24
Edinburgh Rugby                                  4      1     4      20
Clovers                                                     3      2     3      14

Pool B Qualifiers
Gwalia Lightning                                   2      3     4      12
Brython Thunder                                   1      4     2        6
Glasgow Warriors                                  0      5     0       0

Rounds 6, 7 and 8 will each involve two matches, to be played on 17 and 24 February and 3 March.

Afterthoughts:

One small detail: the officials for each match have come from the host nation. Wouldn’t it be possible for neutrals to do the job next season? That would require extra expense; is that the reason for their absence at the moment?

Ireland take the honours at the halfway stage, finishing first and third.

This weekend sees the final round of the regular season.
The details of the play-off stages have just been made known. They follow below. Brython Thunder and Glasgow Warriors must already be condemned to Pool B; teams in places 2-4 have everything to play for.

The Table after 4 Rounds                W    L    B    Pts

Wolfhounds                                            4     0     3      19
Edinburgh Rugby                                  3      1     3      15
Clovers                                                     3      1     2      14
Gwalia Lightning                                   2      2     3      11
Brython Thunder                                   0      4     1        1
Glasgow Warriors                                  0      4     0       0

The line-up for this round posts 2nd v 3rd, 1st v 4th and 5th v 6th.

Fixtures (3 February):

Edinburgh Rugby v Clovers, The Hive, Edinburgh, KO 12.30
Wolfhounds v Gwalia Lightning, Donnybrook, Dublin, KO 14.30
Brython Thunder v Glasgow Warriors, Stadiwm CSM, Colwyn Bay, KO 14.30

It’s good to see Wolfhounds leading the way. After a number of commentators, including me, found it hard making room for Irish players in a Lions’ XV, their experience and quality has seen them through to the fifth round unbeaten. Now they are at home in the capital at the old home of the national team, now known as Energia Park.

Brython pay their one visit to north Wales where they take on the equally winless Glasgow. We will see whether that provides enough encouragement for spectators to turn out in good numbers.
Edinburgh know a home win will assure them of a place in the top three.

And the Future

Can the Challenge can be extended even further next year? On balance it seems unlikely. Its scope was doubled after its inaugural season last year, three teams became six. But there is no obvious way of creating more clubs or franchises, and the calendar is the surest way of limiting ambition.

The CC’s ultimate value will be performances and results in next month’s Six Nations. If it helps individual unions to refine their pathways and other structures, that will be an added bonus.
As the competition stands currently, it fits neatly into a mid-winter slot, to give managements time to decide on training squads for their Six Nations sides to appear in late March. The weather has thus far been supportive. At least no matches have had to be postponed.

As for that newest version of the 6N: it remains to be seen whether these advances will help to narrow the gap in attainment that has bugged the tournament from its start back in the last millennium.
Link the CC to the Latin Challenge, involving four Italian and Spanish franchises, and you can see World Rugby’s efforts to help nations develop a wider player-pool and higher standards. Six of the eight teams involved have the Six Nations as their target; the exceptions are the two Spanish groups, but their future still looks to be locked outside. I’ll leave you to decide the justice of that verdict.

Teams

Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Lisa Thomson (GB Sevens), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury and Cheltenham Tigers), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Molly Poolman (Watsonians), 4. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars), 5. Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 19. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 20. Samanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County), 21. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 22. Briar McNamara (Watsonians), 23. Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh)

Clovers
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht), 14. Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC/ Munster), 13. Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 12. Kayla Waldron (Railway Union RFC/ Connacht), 11. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 10. Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 9. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), 1. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 2. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 3. Róisín Ormond (Ballincollig RFC/ Munster), 4. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 5. Dorothy Wall (captain, Blackrock College RFC/Munster), 6. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 7. Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 8. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore RFC/Connacht)

Bench
16. Aoife Fleming (Ballincollig RFC/Munster), 17. Grainne Burke (Ennis RFC/Munster), 18. Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), 19. Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 20. Sarah McCormick (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), 21. Muirne Wall (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 22. Michelle O’Driscoll (Ballincollig RFC/Munster), 23. Amy Larn (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)

Glasgow Warriors
1 Ailie Tucker, 2 Nikki Simpson, 3 Chloe Brown, 4 Eve Thomson,5 Emma Turner (co-captain), 6 Holland Bogan, 7 Izzy Hannay, 8 Megan Hyland, 9 Rhea Clarke (co-captain), 10 Ceitidh Ainsworth, 11 Pearl Kellie, 12 Giselle Chicot, 13 Claudia McLaren, 14 Roma Fraser, 15 Carla McDonald

Bench
16 Aicha Sutcliffe, 17 Debbie Lee, 18 Kaylee Fraser, 19 Ellie Williamson, 20 Ali Orr, 21 Lucy Winter, 22 Mairi McDonald, 23 Lucy MacRae

Wolfhounds
15. Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), 14. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 12. Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), 11. Niamh Marley (Dungannon RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster), 10. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC/ Leinster), 9. Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 1. Aoife Moore (Blackrock College RFC/ Leinster), 2. Meabh Clenaghan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), 3. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC/Ulster), 4. Eimear Corri (Blackrock Rugby/Leinster),
5. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 6. Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster), 7. Molly Boyne ((captain, Railway Union RFC/Leinster), 8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)

Bench
16. India Daley (Blackrock College RFC/Ulster), 17. Megan Collis (Railway Union/Leinster), 18. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 19. Keelin Brady (Railway Union RFC/Ulster), 20. Grace Moore (Saracens), 21. Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Abby Moyles (Blackrock RFC/Ulster), 23. Leah Tarpey (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)

The two Welsh squads are yet to be published.

The Play-offs

At last we have (incomplete) news of how the play-offs will be staged. As expected, the six teams will be divided into two pools, decided by their finishing positions in Round Five.

The two sets of play-offs will follow across three weekends, 17 February – 3 March; each round to take place in the three countries in turn.
The pattern looks like this:

Top three:

1 v 3
3 v 2
2 v 1

Bottom three:

4 v 6
6 v 5
5 v 4

The incompleteness comes here: we can’t know the details of the six fixtures till next week. It all depends on the weekend’s results.

A thoroughly exciting game, possibly the best of the series so far.

After a kick-tennis start, the game really warmed up. Gwalia were held on the line, then Jenny De Vera made a thrilling break through midfield and found an off-load. Lightning repossessed and flung the ball wide – but oh dear! – the scoring pass finished in touch. Chance gone.

At last Edinburgh managed a turnover and Caity Mattinson sent the ball down into foreign territory, where, if there had been blades of grass, they would have been trodden down for the first time.

Both sides were looking to play a rapid game, Mattinson twice taking a tap and go, but not from the correct spot on one occasion. Sian Jones was equally proactive.

The Scots had their first big chance at a 5-metre line-out, but once again the throw was crook. How many practice arrows do hookers launch every day?

A second effort worked perfectly. The pack rumbled ahead till they gained a penalty, but the ball was thrown wide for Ciaron Bell to win a foot-race to the line. But, and it’s a big but, evidence was provided that she was held up by Rhodd Parry. No try!

Yet another penalty back on the original side worked perfectly. A well controlled drive saw Millie Whitehouse claim the opening points. 0-5

Both sides went on playing positive rugby; one marked feature was the strength of Lisa Thomson’s kicking; it kept pinning the Welsh back in their half.

Edinburgh were dominating possession now, off-loading at will and recycling at speed. The outcome was a break to the line, but – alas! – Thomson spilled the ball.

More delightful combinations brought Bell her second try on the left. The passes alternated long and short, deep and shallow, so defences were unsure who and where to mark. 0-10

Two faulty kicks by Mattinson brought the Welsh back into the game. The first went straight out; the second into the arms of Robyn Wilkins who produced a splendid 50/22. Gwalia developed the position well, big drives, then quick hands to the left. But once more the final pass was thrown into touch. No need to show coaches tearing their hair out.

The misery didn’t last long. Sian Jones bundled her way over the line to start cutting that lead back. 7-10
Just before half-time another failed line-out brought a setback for the Welsh. The last thrust for the line was made by Poppy Fletcher.

Half-time: 7-15

It was vital for Gwalia to sort the scoreboard out. They did so with a vengeance, though it took them another twenty minutes. They posted two tries in quick time to take the lead. They were denied first by a turnover roughly a metre from the Scottish line, but then Jones, very much a driving force behind Lightning’s endeavours, squirmed her way over the line for her second. 12-15

Hardly two minutes later Katie Thicker somehow found her way past a string of defenders on the right touch-line to run clear and rouse the home crowd to more cheers. Once again the conversion was missed. 19-15

For the first time the team in blue was in the lead. Could they hold on? There was a full 15 minutes left to decide the issue.

A penalty decision against Lightning assured their fate. Thomson launched a fine kick into the left corner. The throw was not taken cleanly, but the Scottish forwards kept possession and drove to the line. They had to be patient as the defences were strong, but when Panashe Muzambe grabbed the ball, she burrowed underneath to score near the left edge. Another missed conversion meant the slenderest of leads, but Gwalia couldn’t turn the tide.

Edinburgh were canny in the way they kept possession offering next to no chances for Gwalia to turn the ball over. They advanced firmly down the field till the call came ‘Time’s up’, and appropriately it was Thomson, named Player of the Match, who cleared the ball into the stand. She might have preferred to be in Perth, claiming a bronze medal for GB, but she performed admirably here.

Result: Gwalia Lightning 19 Edinburgh Rugby 20

Both sides won a bonus point

Teams:

Gwalia Lightning: R Parry, C Lewis, J De Vera, R De Filippo, K Davies, R Wilkins, S Jones, A
Constable, M Reardon, J Scoble, P Jones, B King (captain), M Davies, L Issac, T Evans

Bench: S Waugh, D Dinapoli, L Williams, E Jones, S Mead, K Deeks, R Thomas Evans, K Thicker

Edinburgh Rugby: N Marlow, N Flynn, E Orr, L Thomson, C Bell, S Denholm (captain), C
Mattinson, P Fletcher, M Whitehouse, M Poolman, A Ferrie, N Logan, M Gunderson, A Stewart, F
Walker

Bench: A Ronald, P Muzambe, K Lindsay, S Murphy, G Bell, L Brebner-Holden, B McNamara, H
Walker

Officials:
Referee: Amber Stamp (WRU)
ARs: Richard Jones (WRU) & Damien Osbourne (WRU)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The win takes Edinburgh into second place. Their pace and cohesion were a lesson to their city neighbours Glasgow yesterday.

The last of the regular rounds takes place next weekend. The slim-line table looks like this:

Wolfhounds 19 Points
Edinburgh R 15
Clovers 14
Gwalia L 11
Brython T 1
Glasgow W 0

So Ireland lie 1st and 3rd; Scotland 2nd and 6th; Wales 4th and 5th.