Celtic Challenge: Glasgow and Edinburgh announce teams for round eight
Yesterday at 06:50 AM
GLASGOW coach Lyndsey Smith has made just two changes to her side to play Gwalia Lightning at Scotstoun tomorrow as the Warriors bid to build on last week’s 36-17 win over Edinburgh – their first ever victory in the competition.
After making her debut off the bench last week, Poppy Fletcher starts at loosehead in place of club captain Ailie Tucker, who drops to the bench after two consecutive 80-minute games. The other change is also in the pack, with Eilidh MacGilvray coming into the back row in place of the injured Gemma Bell. Scotland scrum-half Mairi McDonald takes over the captaincy.
"We know that another full 80-minute performance is required against Gwalia tomorrow,” Smith said. "The result last Saturday has given the squad a real boost, with an extra buzz around training this week. We know Gwalia will pose a stern physical test and we need to be at our best to match their level."
Edinburgh will also have a different captain for their match at home to the Wolfhounds tomorrow, head coach Claire Cruikshank having dropped Scotland openside Alex Stewart to the bench. Stewart’s place in the back row goes to Charlotte Fosbeary, while wing Hannah Walker takes over as skipper.
In all, Cruikshank has made six changes in personnel to her starting 15. Lucia Scott and Cieron Bell return at full-back and on the right wing respectively, while centre Giselle Chicot and scrum-half Rhea Clarke are also back in the line-up. The other change in the pack sees Alison Wilson start at loosehead.
Samaanther Taganekurukuru and Merryn Gunderson, usually at Nos 8 and 6 respectively, swap roles in the back row. Sarah Denholm returns to the bench after being a late withdrawal last week due to illness.
That victory against their Scottish rivals lifted Glasgow off the foot of the six-team table, two points above Brython Thunder. Edinburgh are fourth, still five points clear of the Warriors, but 11 behind third-placed Gwalia.
Glasgow Warriors (v Gwalia Lightning at Scotstoun, Saturday 2pm): Poppy Mellanby; Abi Evans, Orla Proctor, Briar McNamara, Emily Norval; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Mairi McDonald (captain); Poppy Fletcher, Aicha Sutcliffe, Katie Lindsay, Holland Bogan, Kate Yeomans, Freya Walker, Eilidh MacGilvray, Emily Coubrough. Replacements: Megan Hyland, Ailie Tucker, Eilidh Fleming, Aisha Zameer, Sophie Price, Rianna Darroch, Millie Warren, Lisa Martin.
Edinburgh (v Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium, Saturday 2pm): Lucia Scott; Cieron Bell, Lisa Brown, Giselle Chichot, Hannah Walker (captain); Hannah Ramsay, Rhea Clarke; Alison Wilson, Aila Ronald, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Natasha Logan, Samaanther Taganekurukuru, Charlotte Fosbeary, Merryn Gunderson. Replacements: Karis Craig, Talei Tawake, Megan Riach, C Moody, Alex Stewart, Emily Love, Sarah Denholm, Lucy MacRae.
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