Celtic Challenge reveals 2026/27 fixtures as record international numbers set to raise competition level

The 2026/27 Celtic Challenge season has been confirmed, with the cross-border women’s competition returning for its fifth year on Saturday 5 December. The 10-round campaign will conclude on 27 February, ahead of a final on the weekend of 27 March 2027.

A significant rule change will shape this season’s climax: for the first time, the highest-seeded semi-final winner will host the final, replacing the neutral-venue format used in all previous editions.

Organisers have billed the upcoming campaign as the highest-quality season yet, pointing to a record number of senior internationals from Ireland, Scotland and Wales taking part. The competition has increasingly served as a pathway to Test rugby — most visibly for the Irish sides. When Ireland head coach Scott Bemand named his squad for the WXV Global Series, seven players from Clovers and Wolfhounds were uncapped. Five of them have since made their Ireland debuts against the USA Women’s Eagles and Japan: Beth Buttimer, Jemima Adams-Verling, Kate Jordan, Sophie Barrett and Alana McInerney.

The Scottish clubs have also bolstered their rosters ahead of the new season. Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors have recruited senior internationals Emma Orr, Anne Young, Lucia Scott, Evie Wills and Chloe Rollie. In Wales, Brython Thunder’s Amy Williams, Shanelle Williams and Elan Jones have been capped by head coach Sean Lynn during the WXV Global Series, while Gwalia Lightning pair Freya Bell and Bryonie King have continued to feature at Test level.

Defending champions Wolfhounds enter the season having claimed their third consecutive title last year, defeating Irish rivals Clovers 50-29 at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium. That victory extended Ireland’s unbroken dominance of the Celtic Challenge: a Combined Provinces XV won the inaugural 2023 edition, and Wolfhounds have taken every title since.

Round 1 on 5 December opens with Clovers hosting Edinburgh Rugby at Dexcom Stadium and Gwalia Lightning facing Glasgow Warriors at the CCB Centre, both with 12:00 kick-offs, before Wolfhounds take on Brython Thunder at Affidea Stadium at 13:00.