Celtic Challenge 2025/26: Round 1 wrapped up

To begin the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge season Clovers, Glasgow Warriors and Wolfhounds racked up opening weekend wins.

It was an exhilarating start to the new campaign in which 26 tries and 160 points were scored across the three games.

With a few days until three festive fixtures take place, here is a look at what happened in Round 1 of the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge season.

Clovers 35-31 Gwalia Lightning

Ireland international Sadhbh McGrath enjoyed a Player of the Match performance as Clovers ran out 35-31 winners over Gwalia Lightning.

At Energia Park the prop forward scored two tries for Denis Fogarty’s side, while Caitriona Finn nailed all five of her conversions.

It took just two minutes for McGrath to open the scoring and was followed up with an effort from Niamh Murphy.

Lighting did lead at the break thanks to efforts from front-row duo Evie Hill and Masie Davies, along with Courtney Greenway’s effort.

To secure victory in the second half, Jemima Adams Verling, McGrath and Aoibheann McGrath got across the whitewash for the home side. They cancelled out Davies’ second effort for Gwalia and Tilly Vucaj’s late effort.

For Lightning it was a very good day at the office as they took home two losing bonus points.

As for Clovers, they harbour ambitions of winning it all this season, Saturday’s outing is a very good place to start.

Brython Thunder 17-36 Glasgow Warriors

A strong second half performance at Parc Y Scarlets helped Glasgow Warriors claim a first ever Celtic Challenge away win.

Lindsey Smith’s side beat Brython Thunder 36-12 to get their season off to a flying start.

In the first half there was very little to separate the two teams as it was 12-all after 40 minutes. Thunder struck first as Ellie Tromans’ scored beneath the posts and Hanna Marshall added the extras.

 

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After a period of dominance Warriors got their reward as flying wing Sky Phimister register two tries. To level things up Marshall scored on the stroke of half-time.

To begin building their commanding full-time lead Hannah Smyth got a brace of her own, while Polly Mellanby added to the cause.

Ailsa Merryweather’s converted score finished off Glasgow’s scoring in South Wales, while Jess Rogers’ effort ended the 53-point contest.

Wolfhounds 34-7 Edinburgh Rugby

To start their title defence Wolfhounds picked up a bonus point win against Edinburgh Rugby.
Ireland Under-20 duo Sophie Barrett and Robyn O’Connor both impressed for Neill Alcorn’s side.

Barrett opened the scoring and saw her effort duly followed up by India Daley. Before the break Maggie Boylan added a third score after she latched onto Dannah O’Brien’s cross-field kick.

Edinburgh also registered their sole score of the game when Cat Moody dotted down and saw her effort converted by Lucy MacRae.

To cement her Player of the Match award, Barrett got her second after the break before Eve Higgins scored from her own tap penalty.

With the bonus point secure and victory guaranteed, Linda Djougang put the cherry on top of the cake when she swerved past defenders to keep the good times rolling for those in blue and white quarters.

Next round: Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Gwalia Lighting v Brython Thunder, Clovers v Wolfhounds