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Edinburgh announce squad for 2025/26 Celtic Challenge campaign
By Joe Harvey
Edinburgh Rugby have confirmed the squad that will compete in the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge.
The 35-player squad selected by head coach Claire Cruikshank contains eight players that are members of Scottish Rugby’s centralised players group.
Scotland internationals Alex Stewart, Adelle Ferrie and Hannah Walker all return to the side. As does star wing Cieron Bell, who was Edinburgh’s first-ever try scorer a year ago.
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Edinburgh start their season with a trip to Dublin where they will play the Wolfhounds at Energia Park.
A week later in a post-Christmas class Cruikshank’s side will face-off with Glasgow Warriors at Hive Stadium as part of a derby day double-header that concludes with the men’s teams meeting in the 1872 Cup at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
Cruikshank said: “It’s great to have our final squad confirmed for the Celtic Challenge. There’s a lot of talent in the squad, with some that the fans will be familiar with, but also a few youngsters that will be looking to impress in their first involvement in the tournament.
“We’re buzzing to get going, and we’re particularly excited to for the derby day double header against Glasgow on the 27th. We’ve always had big crowds against the Warriors, so hoping for another big support this year.”
Edinburgh Rugby core squad for 2025/26 Celtic Challenge
Forwards
Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars)
Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh)
Alex Stewart (University of Edinburgh)
Alina Prokopenko (Heriot’s)
Alison Wilson (Heriot’s)
Angharad Hopwood (Stirling County)
Cat Moody (University of Edinburgh)
Ellie Moffat (University of Edinburgh)
Faye Sutherland (Heriot’s)
Hannah McMahon (Watsonians)
Kay Lusby (Heriot’s)
Kaylee Fraser (Corstorphine Cougars)
Lauryn McGrotty (Corstorphine Cougars)
Lottie Russell (Watsonians)
Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars)
Millie Whitehouse (Watsonians)
Molly Poolman (Watsonians)
Natasha Logan (Stirling County)
Nicola Howat (Watsonians)
Talei Tawake (Watsonians)
Backs
Ami Conchie (Watsonians)
Bethan Mathieson (Heriot’s)
Cieron Bell (Watsonians)
Emily Love (Watsonians)
Hannah Ramsay (Watsonians)
Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh)
Helen Frater (Heriot’s)
Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh)
Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh)
Morven Thomson (Heriot’s)
Niamh Waters (University of Edinburgh)
Nicole Marlow (Watsonians)
Pip Benson (Corstorphine Cougars)
Scarlett Haddow (Stirling County)
Tamzin Rosie (Heriot’s)
