Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Lindsey Smith has named a 30-strong core squad to compete in the 2024/25 Celtic Challenge, as preparations continue at Scotstoun ahead of the new season of the competition getting underway.
10 of the playing group that will kick off their campaign against Edinburgh in just under a fortnight’s time return from the squad’s inaugural season, with nine clubs represented across the cohort selected by Smith and her coaching team.
The club’s 2023/24 Coaches’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season both return for 2024/25, as Holland Bogan – who trained with the senior Scotland setup ahead of their recent WXV2 campaign – and Aillie Tucker are included amongst Smith’s playing group.
Arnold Clark Premiership finalists, Stirling County, contribute the most players to the squad with seven, including returning Warriors in the form of Bogan, Ceitidh Ainsworth, Sky Phimister and Aicha Sutcliffe.
Sarah Murdoch and Maia MacDonald join their Bridgehaugh club-mates in the Glasgow setup, as does former Scotland winger Abi Evans after impressing following her move to Stirling County from Saracens.
Evans’ former Scotland team-mate, Lisa Martin, is also included, the fly-half/centre bringing over 50 caps of international experience to the Warriors for the 2024/25 season.
Martin is one of four players from Corstorpine Cougars – who topped the Arnold Clark Premiership standings during the regular-season – included in Smith’s group, joining Katie Lindsay, Erika Gladwin and Rebekah Douglas ahead of next weekend’s opener against Edinburgh.
Elsewhere, two clubs contribute players to Glasgow Warriors for the first time; Louise Downie becomes the first Ayr RFC player to represent the club in the Celtic Challenge, whilst Highland RFC’s Eilidh MacGilvray becomes the first player selected from the Inverness-based outfit.
Scotland U18 standout Poppy Mellanby is the youngest member of the squad, the fly-half joining Biggar squad-mate Poppy Clarkson in the 30-strong squad.
Five players are set to compete for their Glasgow Warriors debuts after representing Edinburgh in the 2023/24 edition of the Celtic Challenge, as Lindsay, Poppy Fletcher, Freya Walker, Mary Nelson and Briar McNamara all make the switch along the M8 ahead of the 2024/25 season getting underway.
Roma Fraser, the club’s top try-scorer in their inaugural Celtic Challenge campaign, is one of six representatives from Hillhead Jordanhill, whilst Megan Hyland – whose performances in last year’s Celtic Challenge earned her selection for Scotland U20 this summer – is joined by Garioch team-mate Alex Ward.
Speaking about the squad announcement, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We’re really excited about the blend of youth and experience we have in our squad, which provides us as a management team with choices when it comes to selection for games.
“Cutting the squad to 30 was challenging, as the players have trained really well across the first three weeks of training which has put the squad in a good place as we head into our first game week of the campaign.
“Our first fixture next weekend is one we are looking forward to – we’re really excited to get going and want to put in a performance for the Warrior Nation.”
Glasgow Warriors open their Celtic Challenge campaign away to Edinburgh at Hive Stadium next Friday night, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35pm.
Tickets for all of the club’s home matches at Scotstoun are now on sale – click here to buy yours today!
Glasgow Warriors core squad for the 2024/25 Celtic Challenge:
Abi Evans (0)
Aicha Sutcliffe (1)
Ailie Tucker (7)
Aisha Zameer (0)
Alex Ward (0)
Beth Tobin (0)
Briar McNamara (7)
Carla McDonald (7)
Ceitidh Ainsworth* (7)
Eilidh MacGilvray (0)
Emily Coubrough* (0)
Erika Gladwin (0)
Erinn Foley* (0)
Freya Walker (7)
Holland Bogan (7)
Kate Yeomans (0)
Katie Lindsay (7)
Lisa Martin (0)
Louise Downie (0)
Maia MacDonald (0)
Mary Nelson (0)
Megan Hyland* (4)
Millie Warren (0)
Poppy Clarkson (0)
Poppy Fletcher* (7)
Poppy Mellanby* (0)
Rebekah Douglas* (1)
Roma Fraser (5)
Sarah Murdoch (0)
Sky Phimister* (5)
(2023/24 Celtic Challenge appearances)
* Scottish Rugby Academy Supported Player