Clovers and Wolfhounds squads unveiled for upcoming Celtic Challenge campaign

Both the Clovers and Wolfhounds squads have been confirmed by the Irish Rugby Football Union for the upcoming Celtic Challenge season.

Denis Fogarty (Clovers) and Neill Alcorn (Wolfhounds) have reprised their roles as head coaches for the teams.

This will be the fourth edition of the Celtic Challenge, which will feature knockout rugby for the first time and sees its 10 round league season commence on Saturday 20 December.

Fogarty is to be assisted by former Ireland internationals Niamh Briggs and Leah Lyons again. Alcorn has a returning supporting cast too as Ben Martin and Matt Gill reprise their roles from last season.

In 2024/25 the two Irish representatives in the competition led the way as the Wolfhounds lifted silverware for a second year in a row.

There are a number of familiar faces strewn across the two squads, including 19 players selected by Scott Bemand for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Gillian McDarby, IRFU Head of Performance & Pathways, said: “Following the Women’s Rugby World Cup, there is great excitement about the women’s game, and the Celtic Challenge now offers a fantastic opportunity for younger players to stake a claim ahead of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

“Our pathways continue to develop with increased investment. and we are looking forward to seeing how youth can blend with experience in this season’s competition.”

Clovers squad

Forwards: Jemima Adams Verling (Connacht), Ella Burns (Connacht), Beth Buttimer (Munster), Eilís Cahill (Munster), Ruth Campbell (Leinster), Jane Clohessy (Munster), Saoirse Crowe (Munster), Sally Kelly (Munster), Ivana Kiripati (Connacht), Siobhán McCarthy (Munster), Aoibheann McGrath (Munster), Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster), Lily Morris (Munster), Aoibhe O’Flynn (Munster), Faith Oviawe (Connacht), Ailish Quinn (Connacht), Rosie Searle (Leinster)

Backs: Enya Breen (Munster), Aoife Corey (Munster), Amee-Leigh Costigan (Munster), Méabh Deely (Connacht), Caitríona Finn (Munster), Kate Flannery (Munster), Síofra Hession (Connacht), Emily Lane (Munster), Lucia Linn (Munster), Anna McGann (Connacht), Alana McInerney (Munster), Niamh Murphy (Connacht), Béibhinn Parsons (Connacht), Eve Prendergast (Munster)

Wolfhounds squad

Forwards: Alma Atagamen (Leinster), Kathy Baker (Leinster), Sophie Barrett (Ulster), Claire Boles (Ulster), Regan Casey (IQ Rugby), Maebh Clenaghan (Ulster), India Daley (Ulster), Linda Djougang (Leinster), Poppy Garvey (Connacht), Christy Haney (Leinster), Kate Jordan (Leinster), Cara McLean (Ulster), Caoimhe Molloy (Leinster), Maeve Óg O’Leary (Munster), Naoise Smyth (Leinster), Fiona Tuite (Ulster)

Backs: Megan Burns (Leinster), Katie Corrigan (Leinster), Aoife Dalton (Leinster), Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Leinster), Stacey Flood (Leinster), Jade Gaffney (Leinster), Eve Higgins (Leinster), Amy Larn (Leinster), Niamh Marley (Ulster), Kate Farrell McCabe (Ulster), Dannah O’Brien (Leinster), Robyn O’Connor (Leinster), Aoibheann Reilly (Connacht), Katie Whelan (Leinster)