Celtic Challenge Kicks Off with December 20th Double-Header at Energia Park

The Celtic Challenge returns on December 20th as the 2024/25 competition gets underway with an exciting opening-round double-header at Energia Park. The fourth edition of the Celtic Challenge introduces knock-out rugby for the first time, alongside the traditional 10-round league format, culminating in Semi-Finals and an inaugural final. The opening day will see both Irish sides in action as the Clovers and Wolfhounds begin their campaigns on home soil. The day’s action gets underway at 11.30am, when the Clovers take on Gwalia Lightning, before the Wolfhounds face Edinburgh Rugby at 2.30pm. Ireland Rugby World Cup stars Béibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath and Emily Lane take to the field for the first time since the tournament with Lane also captaining the side for the opening fixture. Packing down alongside McGrath in the forwards is Ella Burns, Emma Dunican, Aoibhe O’Flynn, Jane Clohessy, Rosie Searle, Faith Oviawe and Jemima Adams Verling. Joining Parsons, McGann and Lane in the backs are Aoife Corey, Niamh Murphy, Alana McInerney, and Caitriona Finn. The Clovers replacements are Uillian Eilian, Siobhán McCarthy, Lily Morris, Aoibheann McGrath, Caoimhe Murphy, Eve Prendergast, Síofra Hession and Méabh Deely. After Clovers v Gwalia Lightning, the Wolfhounds will line out for their first game of the season captained by Ireland centre Aoife Dalton. In the pack RWC star Claire Boles is joined by Cara McLean, India Daley, Sophie Barrett, Naoise Smyth, Kate Jordan, and Munster’s interpro winning Captain Maeve Og O’Leary. In the backs making their first appearances of the season following on from the World Cup Aoibheann Reilly, Dannah O’Brien and Eve Higgins all start along with Dalton and are joined by Maggie Boylan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan and Robyn O’Connor. The replacements are Maebh Cleneghan, Caoimhe Molloy, Linda Djougang, Cliodhna Ní Chonchobhair, Aoife Corcoran, Jade Gaffney, Amy Larn and Stacey Flood.

Clovers Team v Gwalia Lightning (11.30am)

15 – Aoife Corey (Munster) 14 - Béibhinn Parsons (Connacht) 13 – Anna McGann (Connacht) 12 – Niamh Murphy (Leinster) 11- Alana McInerney (Munster) 10 – Caitriona Finn (Munster) 9 - Emily Lane (Munster) 1 – Ella Burns (Connacht) 2 – Emma Dunican (Munster) 3- Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster) 4 – Aoibhe O’Flynn (VC) (Munster) 5 – Jane Clohessy (Munster) 6 – Rosie Searle (Leinster) 7 – Faith Oviawe (Connacht) 8 – Jemima Adams Verling (Connacht) Replacements: 16 – Uillian Eilian (Connacht) 17 – Siobhán McCarthy (Munster) 18 – Lily Morris (Munster) 19 – Aoibheann McGrath (Munster) 20 – Caoimhe Murphy (Munster) 21 – Eve Prendergast (Munster) 22 – Síofra Hession (Connacht) 23 – Méabh Deely (Connacht)

Wolfhounds Team v Edinburgh Rugby (2.30pm)

15 – Robyn O’Connor (Leinster) 14 – Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Leinster) 13 – Amy Larn (Leinster) 12 – Eve Higgins (Leinster) 11- Maggie Boylan (Leinster) 10 – Dannah O’Brien (Leinster) 9 – Aoibheann Reilly (Connacht) 1 – Cara McLean (Ulster) 2 – India Daley (Ulster) 3- Sophie Barrett (Ulster) 4 – Naoise Smyth (Leinster) 5 – Kate Jordan (Leinster) 6 – Poppy Garvey (Connacht) 7 – Maeve Óg O’Leary (Munster) 8 – Claire Boles (Ulster) Replacements: 16 – Maebh Cleneghan (Ulster) 17 – Caoimhe Molloy (Leinster) 18 – Linda Djougang (Leinster) 19 – Cliodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Leinster) 20 – Aoife Corcoran (Leinster) 21 – Jade Gaffney (Leinster) 22 – Amy Larn (Leinster) 23 – Stacey Flood (Leinster) Energia Park provides the stage for what promises to be a compelling opening to the competition, as players continue their development within the Celtic Challenge pathway following increased momentum in the women’s game. Broadcast & Tickets TG4 continues its long-standing support of women’s rugby as the official broadcast partner for the Celtic Challenge. All matches involving the Clovers and Wolfhounds, along with the play-offs, will be broadcast live on TG4 and the TG4 Player. Tickets for the December 20th double-header at Energia Park are available here.