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Celtic Challenge to return for third season

Katie Corrigan for Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge. Credit: Inpho Photography ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

The third season of the Celtic Challenge will get underway next month with the teams competing in a new home-and-away league format.

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In the latest development for the women’s cross-border competition, which will run between December 2024 and March 2025, the six teams will each play 10 matches.

The team that finishes the season top of the table will be crowned champions.

Last year’s winners Wolfhounds will return for a second season alongside fellow Irish side Clovers. Scotland will again be represented by Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors and Wales by Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning.

According to organisers, those teams will be given a “greater platform” on which to perform as a result of enhanced operating standards.

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“This strategic enhancement underscores the competition’s commitment to elevating the profile of women’s rugby in the Celtic nations, building a vibrant platform for players, and enriching the supporter experience,” a statement said.

Wolfhounds lifted the 2023-24 Celtic Challenge title unbeaten, winning all five of their regular season matches before drawing with Edinburgh and beating Clovers in the play-offs.

Designed to provide a pathway between club competition and international selection in Ireland, Scotland and Wales the Celtic Challenge was first played as a three-team tournament at the start of 2023.

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Ireland’s Combined Provinces won that inaugural tournament, winning all four of their matches against The Thistles and the Welsh Development XV.

Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 tickets application phase is now open! Apply now.

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M
Mzilikazi 4 hours ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Thanks for the very comprehensive response, Rob. I have held off responding till I had seen the match v the WB's, and had a better look at Sam. I was interested that you knew him at Uni, played with him.


I thought overall he had a very good game. Was especially impressed by his passing, the timing and accuracy. Very good long passer. He kicks well out of hand, and strikes the ball well off the tee. His one miss could have been costly, but I would not put too much on that.


I did feel he did not pose a running threat, did to carry into contact enough, so the WB's defence was spared that worry.


I fully agree with you that Cullen now needs to give Sam and extended run at 10 for Leinster, not necessarily starting him in every game, but making sure he always gets significant game time, week in, week out.


I'm interested in your comment "if he had a bit more pace he’d have the potential to have sextons brains and bods skills." That would be some combination !


I also had a look at his background. I knew he was a Newbridge College lad, and see he played for them in the Cup Campaign that was never finished due to Covid restrictions. I remember that year well....pity as that was an all Kildare Final, with Clongowes the opponent. The big Dublin schools for once not featuring.


Same happened up in Ulster, two schools outside Belfast in the Final...Wallace and Armagh Royal. I follow Armagh from out here in Qld, as Kenny Hooks(6 caps for Ireland) had built a small school up to being one of the best in Ulster over 40 plus years coaching there. I coached Kenny for five years...Medallion/U 15 and first XV.. at Bangor GS.


Signing off, just hope and pray Sam Prendergast remains free of any serious injury, and we see him develop over the next 10 plus years.

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