Squad confirmed by Glasgow for upcoming Celtic Challenge season

Ahead of the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge season Glasgow Warriors have named their core squad of 35 players.

Last season Glasgow finished at the foot of the six player competition but did register their first-ever win in February.

They are led by former Scotland front-row Lindsey Smith for a second year in a row and the team welcome back 21 players from last season.

This includes a recall for Poppy Mellanby who was just 17 when she debuted for the club. She is one of five University of Edinburgh players that will call Scotstoun home for the coming weeks.

Arnold Clark Premiership finalists Stirling County have the largest cohort with 13 players primed for Celtic Challenge duty. Megan Hyland returns to Glasgow for her third Warriors season.

Lindsey Smith, Glasgow Warriors head coach, said: “I’m excited to see the development of this playing group as we look to build upon the progress of last season.

“We’ve got a good blend of consistency, with 24 players having represented the club in previous seasons, and fresh faces, with everyone keen to be involved and driving each other forwards.

“I believe this is a group with a great deal of potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this group comes together and fights for the badge on their chest when the Celtic Challenge kicks off.”

Warriors begin their season with a trip to Parc y Scarlets where they will face Brython Thunder. A week later they will face-off with Edinburgh Rugby 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.

Glasgow Warriors core squad for the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge

Forwards

Neve Finlay (Wigtownshire RFC)

Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh)

Isla Gillan (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars)

Imogen Spence (University of Edinburgh)

Megan Hyland (Heriot’s)

Nikki Simpson (Garioch RFC)

Aicha Sutcliffe (Stirling County)

Ciorstaidh Ainsworth (Stirling County)

Holland Bogan (Stirling County)

Daisy Morrison (Stirling County)

Sophie Murphy (Stirling County)

Ellie Williamson (Stirling County)

Gemma Bell (Hartpury University)

Emily Coubrough (University of Edinburgh)

Eilidh MacGilvray (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Shelley Main (Ayr RFC)

Samaanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County)

Gemma Thomson (Stirling County)

Freya Walker (Watsonians)

Backs

Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County)

Rianna Darroch (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Rebekah Douglas (Stirling County)

Hannah Dunnett (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Robyn Allan (Biggar RFC)

Nicole Flynn (Stirling County)

Claudia McLaren (Stirling County)

Briar McNamara (Watsonians)

Millie Warren (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Abi Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Robynn Gibson (Ayr RFC)

Poppy Mellanby (University of Edinburgh)

Emily Norval (Stirling County)

Sky Phimister (Stirling County)