2025–26 Celtic Challenge
| 2025–26 Celtic Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Ireland Wales Scotland |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Official website | |
| celticrugbycomp | |
The 2025–26 Celtic Challenge will be the fourth season of the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border women's rugby union competition with teams from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The six team tournament features a full double round robin fixture series, with each team playing the others both home and away. For the first time, however, the competition will include a single elimination play-off with semi-finals and a grand final.[1][2]
Wolfhounds enter the competition as two–time defending champions.
Teams and locations
There have been no team changes from the 2024–25 season.
| Team | Country | Coach / Director of Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Brython Thunder | Wales | |
| Clovers | Ireland | |
| Edinburgh Rugby | Scotland | |
| Glasgow Warriors | Scotland | |
| Gwalia Lightning | Wales | |
| Wolfhounds | Ireland |
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brython Thunder | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Play-offs |
| 2 | Clovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Edinburgh Rugby | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Glasgow Warriors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Gwalia Lightning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Wolfhounds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: Four points for a win, two points for a draw. One bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match; one bonus point for losing by a margin of seven or less.
Regular season
The fixtures were announced in October 2025.[4] The first round of fixtures will take place on 20 December 2025.[1] All times shown are local times.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Play-offs
For the first time, the Celtic Challenge will have play-offs to crown a champion, with the top four teams in the regular season advancing to semi-finals, followed by a grand final.
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – TBC | ||||||
| First in standings | ||||||
| 27/28/29 March 2026 – TBC | ||||||
| Fourth in standings | ||||||
| Winner SF1 | ||||||
| 20/21/22 March 2026 – TBC | ||||||
| Winner SF2 | ||||||
| Second in standings | ||||||
| Third in standings | ||||||
Semi-finals
| 20/21/22 March 2026 |
| 1st in regular season | v | 4th in regular season |
| 20/21/22 March 2026 |
| 2nd in regular season | v | 3rd in regular season |
Final
| 27/28/29 March 2026 |
| Winner of semi-final 1 | v | Winner of semi-final 2 |
Notes
References
- ^ a b "New Look Celtic Challenge Finals Reflect Rising Women's Rugby World Cup Influence - Celtic Challenge". 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "2025-26 Celtic Challenge to feature knockout rugby as competition revamped". BBC Sport. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Table". Celtic Challenge. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Celtic Challenge Unveils Fixtures for the 2025/26 Season". Celtic Challenge. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.