32 - 18

18 - 49

35 - 10

27 - 22

34 - 24

47 - 32

30 - 33

19 - 22

14 - 0

29 - 20

11 - 10

20 - 15

29 - 10

LIVE

42'

LIVE

22'

LIVE

24'

LIVE

20'

LIVE

24'

Today

10:00

Today

11:15

Today

11:30

Today

11:30

Today

11:30

Today

14:05

Tomorrow

09:00

Tomorrow

09:00

Tomorrow

14:05

Celtic Challenge 2024/25 fixtures revealed

By Martyn Thomas

31 days ago

The Wolfhounds celebrate winning the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge title at Kingspan, Belfast (Credit: Inpho photography).

The third edition of the Celtic Challenge will kick off one month from today with a round of local derbies.

Last season’s runners-up Edinburgh will host Scottish rivals Glasgow Warriors in the opening match of the 2024/25 campaign at Hive Stadium on Friday, December 20.

Welsh sides Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder will then meet at Ystrad Mynach the following afternoon before defending champions Wolfhounds take on Clovers at Energia Park on Sunday, December 22.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool Draw | RPTV

Catch up on the Pool Draw for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 tournament that will take place in England. Visit RugbyPass TV for extensive Women’s rugby coverage.

More Women’s rugby

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool Draw | RPTV

Catch up on the Pool Draw for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 tournament that will take place in England. Visit RugbyPass TV for extensive Women’s rugby coverage.

More Women’s rugby

The 2024/25 Celtic Challenge will feature a 10-round home-and-away format for the first time and two of those opening fixtures will be reversed the following weekend.

Clovers are scheduled to host Wolfhounds before Brython Thunder take on Gwalia Lightning on December 28.

Glasgow’s home encounter with Edinburgh has been moved to February 15, 2025 due to what the Warriors described as the “logistical challenges associated with training and playing at Scotstoun during the festive period”.

The champions will be crowned following the final match of the 10th round, scheduled to be played on March 9.

According to organisers, the 2024/25 fixture list has been designed to offer a “fan-first experience” with a mix of family-friendly kick-off times and several double headers “encouraging local communities to immerse themselves in the spirit of rugby”.

Wednesday’s fixture announcement comes less than a week after the full line-up of head coaches was confirmed for the new season.

Wolfhounds will once again be coached by Neill Alcorn, while Claire Cruikshank will lead Edinburgh and Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin and Ashley Beck return as coaches of Lightning and Thunder respectively.

Former Scotland prop Lindsey Smith will coach Glasgow, meanwhile, and Ireland Women scrum coach Denis Fogarty will head up the Clovers programme.

Comments

1 Comment

MB 30 days ago

Well that's lovely but... where is the fixture list??

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Lesser known names must step up if the franchise is to fulfil its aim of winning the URC and Champions Cup this season.

LONG READ

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Enforced rotation, poor results, and logistical and political issues have raised questions over the viability of South African Champions Cup involvements.

LONG READ

Return of 30-something brigade provides welcome tonic for Wales

The enduring class of Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Josh Adams on their returns gives Wales hope after a wretched year.

Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 46 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 54 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 6 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU