Whatever it is, it needs to work with the Premiership and wider club game as that is ultimately where the players come from. If you've read this far, would love to know others' thoughts!
But there are no signs that this will ever happen and the SRU might be putting too many eggs in the basket of that happening. (RFU should be praised for their investment in women's rugby, but it does sometimes seem like they don't care about the size of the pond as long as they are the biggest fish)
Purely from a fan level, the ideal is probably a combined British and Irish league with sides joining PWR, so you're not splitting viewership and with more of the best Scots, Irish and Welsh playing back home if they want to and still playing in the best comp.
With almost all the top Welsh players and many high profile Irish players in PWR, it and Elite 1 are surely going to remain the place for more established internationals to get the standard of play they need.
It's not clear that it's the best place for more established players to play week in week out. But with all Scotland internationals only receiving 1 year contracts after RWC, I do wonder if there will be increased pressure to play Celtic Challenge to retain a contract. And I'm not sure that's good.
These are just some gut reactions from me but, as the article says, we're still not clear on exactly what SRU are aiming for from the Celtic Challenge and if that's the same Wales or Ireland. It's clear that lots of players develop from the experience which is brilliant and worth holding on to
Lots to digest in this very interesting review of the Celtic Challenge from Eric Jones. Some pretty shocking info on contracts and payments (some or all the Scotland contracted players only contracted to this month, non-contracted players only getting ยฃ600 for 200 hours training) ๐งต
Round 10 Highlights:
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟGlasgow Warriors vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX32...
๐Wolfhounds vs ๐Clovers (of course they don't show the red card)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aaS...
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟBrython Thunder vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟGwalia Lightning
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epld...
You may have seen Scottish Rugby announcing (accurately) Darcy Graham as Scotland men's all time top try scorer. If I have my facts right ๐ฌ that makes the wee man joint top Scotland try scorer with Lucy Millard on 37. Of active players chasing the record down, Duhan VDM has 35 and Rhona Lloyd has 29
Especially if you make it the best 24 hours so you get to include Rhys Carrรฉ's try
I mean I think I am more familiar with my feelings than you?
Never thought Scotland beating France 50-40 would feel like the scoreline flattered France .....
Graphic saying 1841 club record with a picture of some of the squad
Although they didn't get the win they needed to reach the playoffs, amazing to see that the Warriors drew a crowd of 1841 for their derby match with Edinburgh l, particularly impressive for a Friday evening
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟGlasgow Warriors vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby 17โ22
๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ #CelticChallenge Round 10
Damn Scots, they ruined Scotland!
Always a spicy one between these two.
A thrilling game where nobody lineout was working, the ball changed hands a million times, and everyone ran to their hearts content.
Edinburgh ending their neighbours hopes of getting into playoffs
Edinburgh did not get the memo and won 22-17, meaning neither Scottish team makes the play offs
A reminder that you can watch Glasgow v Edinburgh this evening at 7:30 on BBC Sport and on YouTube as Glasgow try for the win that gives them a chance of the playoffs (and Edinburgh hopefully at least bring their try scoring form from last week)
Nicole Flynn returns from injury for Glasgow Warriors with full details here: glasgowwarriors.org/news-and-fea...
Aila Ronald returns after a concussion. Full Edinburgh team news at the link here: edinburghrugby.org/news-and-fea...
Glasgow Warriors team sheet, full team details in link in reply post
Edinburgh team sheet with picture of Aila Ronald. Full details at link in reply post
Glasgow and Edinburgh have announced their teams for the final regular game of the Celtic Challenge season, set to be in front of a crowd of over 1500 ๐คฉ
Glasgow can still qualify for the playoffs with victory although it is not completely in their hands
Links to full team details in the post below
Graphic showing Warrior of the Month February nominees, with photos of Briar McNamara, Millie Warren, Megan Hyland and Poppy Fletcher
Glasgow Warriors have announced their nominees for Warrior of the Month. You can vote until 5 pm on Friday for one of Briar McNamara, Millie Warren, Megan Hyland or Poppy Fletcher at this link: glasgowwarriors.org/news-and-fea...
I am trying to spend less time on social media / online ATM ๐ฌ, can't comment on how well that is going mind you ๐
Round 9 Highlights:
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟGlasgow Warriors vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟBrython Thunder
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJxH...
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟGwalia Lightning vs ๐Wolfhounds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbF-...
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby vs ๐Clovers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPnK...
Glasgow Warriors have announced a new record attendance will be set for their women's team in the Celtic Challenge in their upcoming match against Edinburgh with over 1000 tickets sold.
And once again they have loads going on for kids at the match: glasgowwarriors.org/news-and-fea...
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟGlasgow Warriors vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟBrython Thunder 10โ32 ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟGwalia Lightning vs ๐Wolfhounds 7โ52 ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby vs ๐Clovers 26โ43
1st ๐Wolfhounds 40 points 2nd ๐Clovers 38 points 3rd ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟGwalia Lightning 24 points 4th ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟBrython Thunder 19 points 5th ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟGlasgow Warriors 16 points 6th ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby 7 point
๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ #CelticChallenge Round 9
Brython continues their winning streak but the playoffs are not yet secured.
The Wolfhounds bounce back from last week failure.
And the Clovers continue on the chase for the top spot as they secure a home semi-final.
Just one round to go and still a lot to be decided.
Chloe Rollie and Hollie McIntyre are in action for Toulon and Montpellier respectively when the two teams face each other in Elite 1 this afternoon
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟEdinburgh Rugby vs ๐Clovers 26โ43
๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ #CelticChallenge Round 9
Edinburgh was ahead on the score for 30 seconds ๐จ
Between intercepted passes (14 easy points given away) and botched lineouts the Scots gift the Irish a win on what should have been a 1 score game.
Clovers efficient at taking their opportunities secure a home semi-final.
If Edinburgh didn't keep throwing intercepts, they could be in this game ๐ฌ
Edinburgh u18 team sheet, captained by number 4 Anna Stoddart
Glasgow u18 team sheet for a match v Edinburgh at 4pm Saturday at Hive
As well as Celtic Challenge, teams have been named for an u18 clash between Edinburgh and Glasgow, taking place at Hive Stadium on Saturday at 4pm, always good to see extra pathway opportunities
Glasgow and Edinburgh teams for Celtic Challenge
Sky Phimister returns to Glasgow's team to face Brython (BBC Sport and YouTube): glasgowwarriors.org/news-and-fea...
18 yr old Bethan Mathieson makes her first start in the Edinburgh team facing Clovers (YouTube) edinburghrugby.org/news-and-fea...
