Ireland’s home-based players to compete in expanded Celtic Challenge next season
Clovers players Shannon Touhey (left) and Ivana Kiripati during the Celtic Challenge match against Brython Thunder at Energia Park, Dublin in January. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The IRFU has recommitted to the Celtic Challenge as the competition of choice for their female home-based players next season, with the cross-border tournament expanding to include more games.
In what will be the third iteration of the tournament that sees two teams from Ireland face off against two teams from Wales and Scotland, there will be 10 rounds of fixtures between December and March before the Six Nations begins. The winners will be determined by the standings at the end of the league stage.
Irish teams have won both tournaments to date, with the Wolfhounds lifting the trophy at the end of this year’s edition.
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Ireland finished third in this year’s Six Nations after Saturday’s win over Scotland, earning them qualification to the top-level WXV1 tournament and next year’s World Cup.
The result has shone a light on the competition structures beneath the international game, with the All Ireland League finishing last Sunday.
Rather than use the clubs as the vehicle to get their elite players games, the union has opted to go down the provincial route and the aim is to eventually have the four provinces competing in a bigger Celtic Challenge and, potentially, a Champions Cup-style tournament.
For now, the combined teams named the Wolfhounds and the Clovers will participate in the tournament which is part funded by World Rugby.
"Last year the Celtic Challenge competition provided valuable game time for emerging talent and is an important platform for growing the game in Ireland,” the IRFU’s head of women’s performance and pathways said.
"With the continued investment in developing our pathways, the competition remains integral to ensuring we have a competitive Irish national team.”
