Thunder and Lightning set for Celtic Challenge

Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning have named their squads for this season's expanded Celtic Challenge, which starts later this month.

The Celtic Challenge will feature knockout rugby for the first time this season, featuring 10 rounds before culminating with semi-finals and a final.

Thunder and fellow Welsh side Gwalia Lightning are joined by Scottish teams Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors with Wolfhounds and Clovers representing Ireland.

Each Celtic Challenge squad is able to use 10 transitional places to allow players to be added to the teams during the league campaign.

Thunder coach Ashley Beck has named eight Wales internationals in his squad.

The side will be captained by Gwen Crabb, the 26-year-old lock having returned to Wales to play her club rugby after leaving Gloucester-Hartpury.

Branwen Metcalfe joins the squad for the first time along with fellow 19-year-old Seren Lockwood, both having played for Wales in this year's Rugby World Cup.

Back-row forward Metcalfe and half-back Lockwood are joined by Wales centres Hannah Bluck and Megan Webb, fly-half Mollie Wilkinson, scrum-half Ffion Lewis and wing Amelia Tutt.

"This is an exciting and new-look Brython Thunder squad for the new expanded Celtic Challenge," said Beck.

"We are still a young squad and have added some real Test match experience to a core group of young players who know all about this competition.

"Having Welsh international Gwen Crabb back to play her club rugby in Wales is recognition of the growth of the Celtic Challenge."

Beck's side kick off their Celtic Challenge campaign when hosting Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, 20 December (12:30 GMT).

"Seeing how quickly we gel as a squad will be key and we are expecting the standard of the Celtic Challenge to go up another level this season," added Beck.

"We know the Irish and Scottish sides will have international calibre players available, but we welcome the challenges ahead."

Forwards: Stella Orrin, Elan Jones, Shanelle Williams, Amy Morgan, Rhoswen James, Megan Lewis, Ellie Harper, Ciara Taylor, Gwen Crabb (capt), Robyn Davies, Mia Haf Bowen, Catrin Jones, Danai Mugabe, Robyn Kovachev, Finley Jones, Jess Rogers, Jorja Aiona, Branwen Metcalfe, Lucy Isaac.

Backs: Seren Lockwood, Ffion Lewis, Hanna Marshall, Ffion Williams, Rhiannon Griffin, Aimee Bush, Savannah Picton Powell, Megan Webb, Ellie Tromans, Gabby Healen, Hannah Bluck, Amelia Tutt, Seren Singleton, Ffion Davies, Amy Williams, Mollie Wilkinson.

Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin includes 10 Wales internationals in her squad with flanker Bryonie King named as captain.

Props Maisie Davies and Jenni Scoble, hooker Molly Reardon, locks Alaw Pyrs and Tilly Vucaj and wing Catherine Richards were all in Wales' 2025 World Cup squad.

They are joined by Welsh internationals, scrum-half Sian Jones, full-back Jenny Hesketh and wing Caitlin Lewis.

GB Sevens pair Courtney Greenway and Nia Fajeyisan are named in the squad, along with back-rower Imogen Shide, who returns to rugby after the birth of her daughter.

Shide impressed during her performances for Senghenydd Sirens in the community game.

"This is a Gwalia Lightning squad with a good blend of international experience and exciting young talent from our pathway and the community game," said Nicholas-McLaughlin.

"We have had 15 players who have been capped for Wales playing for Gwalia Lightning, but we are still a young squad with an average age of 21."

Nicholas-McLaughlin is a former Welsh international and is in her third season as head coach of the Lightning.

"We know what to expect in this championship and finished third last season and have set our sights on being brave and competitive, especially against the Irish sides that have dominated the Celtic Challenge," said Nicholas-McLaughlin.

"As coaches and players, we are excited about the Celtic Challenge and cannot wait to get started and to see where are as a squad."

Gwalia Lightning start at Clovers on Saturday, 20 December (11:30 GMT).

Forwards: Maisie Davies, Chloe Thomas Bradley, Molly Reardon, Molly Wakely, Mollie Crabb, Jenni Scoble, Danyelle Dinapoli, Evie Hill, Alaw Pyrs, Tilly Vucaj, Erin Jones, Erin Williams, Bryonie King (capt), Catrin Stewart, Lily Terry, Lottie Buffery Latham, Anwen Owen, Chiara Pearce, Imogen Shide.

Backs: Sian Jones, Katie Bevans, Carys Hughes, Molly Anderson Thomas, Kelsie Webster, Nia Fajeyisan, Isla McMullen, Jodie Palmer, Catherine Richards, Caitlin Lewis, Nia Grundy, Courtney Greenway, Jenny Hesketh, Nikita Prothero.