The third edition of the Celtic Challenge kicks-off this weekend, with the tournament looking to build on the huge success of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
The third edition of the Celtic Challenge kicks-off this weekend, with the tournament looking to build on the huge success of this year's Rugby World Cup.
Welsh hopes once again rest with Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder, against Irish sides Wolfhounds and Clovers along with Scotland's Edinburgh and Glasgow.
All six sides feature a host of internationals who played in England's record-breaking tournament this summer, along with emerging pathway talent.
The format has changed for 2025-2026 with the introduction of a play-off system.
Starting on Saturday, there will be 10 regular rounds of home and away fixtures, followed by two semi-finals and a grand final on the weekend of 28 March.
Thunder and Lightning look to strike early
Ireland have dominated the tournament since its inception, with a Combined Provinces side winning the 2023 pilot, before Wolfhounds won back-to-back titles.
Gwalia Lightning have been the more successful of the Welsh sides, twice finishing third.
They are again coached by former Wales flanker Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin and will play their home games at Ystrad Mynach.
Bryonie King resumes her role as captain and will lead a squad that includes nine other Wales internationals, including Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon and Alaw Pyrs.
Lightning start their campaign with a trip to Dublin to take on last season's runners-up, Clovers.
"It's an opportunity to get more game time and improve ourselves," King said.
"Since the Celtic Challenge started, so many players have been selected for the national squad. We're so young as well, it's a great start for the future.
"We know the Clovers are a powerful and physical team.
"Gwalia have been working really hard on our physicality, building from last season, we just need to match up."
Brython Thunder are coached by former Wales and Ospreys centre Ashley Beck and will make their home at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets.
Wales lock Gwen Crabb captains the side, following the footsteps of Wales team mates Natalia John and Kerin Lake in leaving Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) to play back in Wales.
Thunder finished fourth last season, with the likes of Wales captain Alex Callender and Sioned Harries boosting their ranks.
This year they have rising Wales stars Branwen Metcalfe and Seren Lockwood in their squad - both of whom featured in the World Cup.
They also welcome back experienced scrum-half Ffion Lewis, who left the Wales set-up last year.
Thunder's first opponents are Glasgow, a side they beat twice at the end of last season.
Crabb says it is important they hit the ground running.
"Previously we've been a team that builds into the competition and there's a big emphasis this year on starting well and continuing to build momentum," she said.
"We're definitely pushing for that top four finish, it's really cool now that the competition has that play-off. It's definitely something we're shooting for."
Ones to watch
Chiara Pearce: A powerful back-rower who has shone with Wales Under-20s and was unlucky not to make the senior squad for the summer tour of Australia and the World Cup. She will be looking to make her mark on this tournament before the 2026 Women's Six Nations.
Branwen Metcalfe: The dynamic back-rower was a Wales Under-18s player when she captained the Under-20s at this year's Six Nations Summer Series. She went on to earn senior honours against Canada at the World Cup. It was a huge show of faith to stick a teenager on against a juggernaut of women's rugby, but she is clearly a player and leader for the future
Courtney Greenway, Hanna Marshall, Nia Fajeyisan, Jorja Aiono: They were all selected for Great Britain Sevens this year and certainly looked at home on the big stage. Wales head coach Sean Lynn said they were "shining lights" in Dubai and is very excited to see them play in the 15s game.
Evie Hill: Another product from the pathway, the powerful Wales Under-20s tight-head prop has been tipped by numerous coaches to have a big future in the front row. It will be great exposure to pack down alongside the likes of Wales duo Maisie Davies and Molly Reardon for Lightning.
Why the competition is so important
The Celtic Challenge was initially introduced to bridge the gap between the domestic game and international rugby.
It also gives players much needed game time prior to the Women's Six Nations - players who are getting overlooked in the fiercely competitive PWR or who are returning from injury.
As it has grown in stature, players like John and Crabb have chosen the Celtic Challenge as their permanent base and it is hoped more will follow suit as Wales attempts to halt the player drain to England.
After Wales' disappointing World Cup, which saw them crash out in the group stages, Lynn cited a lack of game time as a key issue.
He said the Celtic Challenge would be "key for us" and would get players "battle-hardened" ready for the Six Nations.
"I've very excited to see the Celtic Challenge kicking off," said Lynn.
"I've been very hands on with it. There have been players coming in who are centrally contracted, but are also of national interest.
"It's about giving players an opportunity, that's what most excites me. What players are out there playing and putting their hands up?"
Brython Thunder fixtures
Brython Thunder v Glasgow Warriors, 20 December, Parc y Scarlets, 12:30 GMT
Gwalia Lightning v Brython Thunder, 27 December, Cardiff Arms Park, 14:00 GMT
Brython Thunder v Closers, 11 January, Cardiff Arms Park, 12:00 GMT
Wolfhounds v Brython Thunder, 18 January, Affidea Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Clovers v Brython Thunder, 25 January, Virgin Media Park, 12:00 GMT
Edinburgh Rugby v Brython Thunder, 31 January, Hive Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brython Thunder v Edinburgh Rugby, 14 February, Parc y Scarlets, 12:30 GMT
Brython Thunder v Wolfhounds, 21 February, Parc y Scarlets, 12:30 GMT
Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder, 28 February, Scotstoun Stadium, 13:00 GMT
Brython Thunder v Gwalia Lightning, 8 March, Parc y Scarlets, 14:00 GMT
Gwalia Lightning fixtures
Clovers vs Gwalia Lightning, 20 December, Energia Park, 11:30 GMT
Gwalia Lightning v Brython Thunder, 27 December, Cardiff Arms Park, 14:00 GMT
Glasgow Warriors vs Gwalia Lightning, 10 January, Scotstoun Stadium, 12:30 GMT
Gwalia Lightning vs Edinburgh Rugby, 17 January, Ystrad Mynach, 13:00 GMT
Edinburgh Rugby vs Gwalia Lightning, 24 January, Hive Stadium, 13:00 GMT
Wolfhounds vs Gwalia Lightning, 1 February, Virgin Media Park, 12:30 GMT
Gwalia Lightning vs Clovers, 14 February, Ystrad Mynach, 13:00 GMT
Gwalia Lightning vs Glasgow Warriors, 21 February, Ystrad Mynach, 13:00 GMT
Gwalia Lightning vs Wolfhounds, 28 February, Ystrad Mynach, 13:00 GMT
Brython Thunder v Gwalia Lightning, 8 March, Parc y Scarlets, 14:00 GMT
How Clovers and Lightning line up for season openers
Gwalia Lightning (at Clovers): C Richards; Greenway, Webster, Anderson Thomas, C Lewis; C Hughes, Bevans; M Davies, Reardon, Hill, E Jones, Vucaj, Buffery Latham, Stewart, King (capt)
Replacements: Wakely, C Thomas Bradley, Maher, Pearce, Terry, A Owen, Prothero, Fajeyisan.
Brython Thunder (v Glasgow Warriors): Wilkinson; Tutt, Tromans, Healen, Singleton; Marshall, F Lewis; Stella Orrin, S Williams, E Jones, R Davies, John, C Jones, Rogers (capt), Metcalfe.
Replacements: A Morgan, M Lewis, James, M Haf Bowen, F Jones, Lockwood, F Williams, Webb.
Category: General Sports
