Women’s rugby: Celtic Challenge expanded to home and away format

Launched in 2022, the Celtic Challenge doubled in size this season, from three to six teams, which included the introduction of teams from Scotland.

Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning represent Wales. Ireland have Irish Wolfhounds and Clovers with Scotland fielding Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.

This year’s tournament was won by Wolfhounds, with Edinburgh second, while 68 players went on to feature in the Six Nations, including eight making their Test debuts.

Nigel Walker, Welsh Rugby Union’s executive director of rugby, added he thought the competition had just “scratched the surface” of its potential.

“We are highly ambitious around the Celtic Challenge,” he said.

“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.

“It is a key part of [our] strategy for the women’s game 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 Six Nations.”