Clover and out

Clovers v Edinburgh 2/3/24

It’s been an incredibly fun journey following Edinburgh in the Celtic Challenge this year. We aren’t quite done yet - there is still one last game to come this weekend.

The Irish Wolfhounds wrapped the title up last weekend with a derby victory over the Clovers in Belfast. Huge congratulations to them - a very much deserved win. Their victory also confirmed that Edinburgh would finish in second place regardless of how their final game v Clovers finishes this Sunday. We can’t catch the champions, and Gwalia Lightning in 3rd can’t catch us.

Would things have been different had we held on in those heartbreaking final four minutes against the Wolfhounds two weeks ago? Only a little, you feel. 

Last time out - so close v Wolfhounds 

A bit on that last game. It finished 26-26 at the Hive after the visitors scored 2 converted tries in the closing minutes. It was a gut punch for an Edinburgh team which looked to have done enough. 

There were stand out performances from a good number of Edinburgh players. Here’s hoping they can dust themselves down to go one last time to finish their debut season off in style.

Edinburgh v Wolfhounds last month

First season report card

Overall, the first season has been incredibly impressive. Going in, I had no idea how the season - or the team - would go. New teams, new squads, new competition. 

Looking at both Scottish sides, they looked pretty even on paper to my (admittedly inexpert) eyes, but the teams could not have had more different fortunes.

Edinburgh finish second having lost 1 game so far and one to play. Warriors finished bottom with no wins from their 7 games. There were shoots of promise in that squad, but I would be lying if I said I’d trade the Gunners’ position or squad for theirs!

We’ve been treated to a host of exciting young talent representing the capital - and a couple have even been rewarded with a place in the international camp. 

Scotland call-ups - hopefully the first of many

A massive 10 players who represented Edinburgh throughout the competition were named in Bryan Easson’s extended training squad ahead of the 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations.

First off - I’ve got to say another huge congratulations to all of the players selected. But especially those included for the first time having played for the Gunners. This is surely exactly the plan for the two Scottish sides and is hopefully a sign of things to come. It also shows younger players that the pathway is there for them. Which is even more promising. 

Now, fair enough, three of the 10 are Lisa Thomson, Caity Mattinson and Rhona Lloyd. Even I can’t claim that they have Edinburgh to thank for their spots! But they have represented the capital this term. It’s always great to see all 3 involved for Scotland!

Rhona Lloyd takes to the field for her Edinburgh debut

A further two players have been named in Scotland squads before - star centre Emma Orr and as yet uncapped lock Fi McIntosh. 

There is nothing more I can say this year about Emma Orr. She is a cut above. She hits lines simultaneously like a scalpel and a freight train. Time after time. She also scored 5 tries for Edinburgh in 5 games. A superstar. 

A shout out for Fi McIntosh, too. She’s been a lynchpin for Edinburgh so far this term, bringing experience to the lineout and dynamism to the carry. Surely a first Scotland cap will come her way this time round?

New faces

For the other five names, I think I am safer in attributing their inclusions to some stellar Embra performances. They are all in their first national squad. 

Flanker Merryn Gunderson was incredible again in her POTM showing v Wolfhounds. She hits hard, and somehow carries even harder. An absolute warrior in the back row.

Fellow flanker Alex Stewart is fast becoming my favourite Edinburgh player - men's or women's. A tyro! 23 tackles apiece for her and her partner in crime Gunderson v Wolfhounds. Incredible numbers. And they appear to complement each other very well.

Scrum half Leia Brebner-Holden had to wait for her first Gunners start - though being kept out by established internationals Jenny Maxwell and Mattison is no slight on Brebner-Holden. But, when the start came, Leia took it with both hands, tapped it quickly and made 15m before the opposition knew anything about it! She brings a lot of zip to proceedings.

The final two are both wingers. 18 year old Nicole Flynn has been really impressive on the right wing. Her positioning is good and she packs a serious punch in contact. 

Cieron Bell, Flynn’s counterpart on the left wing, is literally on fire. And everyone’s defence is terrified. With 5 tries in 6 games so far for Edinburgh, Bell is quick, nimble and deceptively powerful. The chance for her to learn from the likes of Lloyd, Fran McGhie and Chloe Rollie in Scotland camp is tantalising for fans.

And, as an Edinburgh fan, I am so pleased for these players. They've been playing with their hearts on their sleeves for the club from the get-go. And, more to the point, have all been very good!

This is what it's all about for Edinburgh right now - using the Celtic Challenge as a way for players to put their hands up for international consideration. The use of ‘transitional’ players has proven to be a good move, and local players have also had their chance. It’s been a success. 

This isn’t to say that there weren’t other players who also played well and can’t be too far away from the Scotland coach’s thoughts. 

The loosehead one-two act of Panashe Muzambe and Poppy Fletcher were consistently good throughout. Natasha Logan was a stand-out in pretty much every game, working with both McIntosh and Adelle Ferrie very effectively. Sarah Denholm has looked assured at 10, and will surely have designs on adding to her solitary Scotland cap to date. Centre Briar McNamara has provided a point of difference in the midfield - powerful with subtle hands and a powerful boot. I believe she qualifies for Scotland later this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her included if she continues to excel.

Clovers v Edinburgh: take two 

Although this will be the second meeting of the teams this year, this one will be away from home - in fact, thanks to the quirk of the post-split fixture planning, it will be at a neutral venue. Llanelli’s Parc y Scarlets will welcome us and our Irish chums before the Welsh derby brings the competition to a close on Sunday evening. 

Clovers have made 5 changes from last week and will, I think, prove a strong test once again. We had the better of the last game, but that will count for little. They’ll be out to finish with a win, just as we will. We can’t take anything for granted, but this team should be aiming to sign off their first season on a high. 

Credit @EdinburghRugby on Twitter

Emma Orr misses out through injury, which is a worry! Conversely, it is a pleasant surprise to see Lloyd make her first start! 

It’s good to see Brebner-Holden involved, too. McIntosh is involved with Saracens so misses out, and Muzambe’s absence is disappointing as she’s been fab for Edinburgh. Aila Ronald make her first start at hooker in a mobile looking front row unit with Fletcher and Poolman. There are 2 more debuts possible off the bench: Heriots’s Blues’ Alison Wilson and Cougars’ Lucy Kidd.

It’s live on RugbyPassTV - and although the quality of their streaming leaves a lot to be desired, it does mean we can tune in and hopefully cheer the girls on from afar to a strong finish. 

Mon the Gunners.