Celtic Challenge 2024/25 fixtures revealed

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.

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.