Edinburgh women - 2024/5 Celtic Challenge

[andthefoxsays]

We looked good in attack, and the set piece (especially the lineout) was much better this week, but totally agree on the defence. Gwalia were marching forward at times, and there are still those gaps around the tackle that they could exploit.

There were a good few refereeing decisions we didn't get - another was on a previous held up call when the advantage we had vanished. However, a bit more patience and conviction and we score 1, 2 or 3 of those chances and win the game.

Be interested to see if there are changes for next week's return fixture. Hopefully Tawake is fit - I think we really missed her when she went off.

[bignose]

With respect, I don't think we ever looked "good" on attack, with maybe the exception of the last few minutes when we ran phase after phase. The backs run sideways too often, and the pass out the back is being done so far away from the defensive line that no-one is fooled. I think Sarah Denholm had a better game than she's had earlier in the series, but Hannah Ramsey needs to prove herself a threat because no side will bother committing a defender to her if she continues to catch and turn across the pitch immediately.

Hopefully we'll see an improvement in the return fixture this weekend.

[andthefoxsays]

Wouldn't be worth discussing if we all thought the same

I thought the forwards looked pretty good throughout in attack, carried well and linked up nicely, but agree the backs are too deep, especially from 1st phase, and don't threaten the line 90% of the time. We're scoring lots of tries, so something is working in attack.

It's the defence that's more of an issue.

Touched on in my preview for this week - https://bit.ly/4hzlRJR

[andthefoxsays]

We're halfway through the Celtic Challenge season
Ahead of the game tomorrow, here's my half term report - https://open.substack.com/pub/theburghw ... medium=web

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Brython Thunder at Parc y Scarlets
Saturday 8 February, kick-off 12.30pm – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Nicole Marlow

14. Lucia Scott
13. Lisa Brown
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker VICE-CAPTAIN

10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Rhea Clarke

1. Talei Tawake
2. Karis Craig
3. Hannah McMahon
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Lauryn Walter
7. Alex Stewart CAPTAIN
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Millie Capaldi*
17. Alison Wilson
18. Chloe Brown
19. Samaanther Taganekurukuru
20. Charlotte Fosbeary
21. Emily Love*
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Ami Conchie

Unavailable: Molly Poolman, April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Giselle Chicot, Pip Benson, Cieron Bell, Aila Ronald.

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

[andthefoxsays]

After a, quite frankly, scunnering result last weekend in Wales we are aiming to get back to winning ways tomorrow against Glasgow.

Weirdly, this is our first trip to Scotstoun. We have won both previous meetings between the teams.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium (Saturday 15 February, 2pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Nicole Marlow
14. Ami Conchie
13. Lisa Brown
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker VICE-CAPTAIN
10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Rachel Law*

1. Chloe Brown
2. Aila Ronald VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Merryn Gunderson
7. Alex Stewart CAPTAIN
8. Samaanther Taganekurukuru

Replacements
16. Karis Craig
17. Talei Tawake
18. Megan Riach
19. Charlotte Fosbeary
20. Faye Sutherland
21. Emily Love*
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Lucia Scott

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Giselle Chicot, Pip Benson, Georgia Young, Cieron Bell, Shona Campbell, Lucy Christie, Lauryn Walter, Rhea Clarke.

The way the season has went so far, and with three games against Irish opposition to come, this is a must win!

My preview here: https://open.substack.com/pub/theburghwatch/p/glasgow-warriors-v-edinburgh-women?r=3cmm5d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

[andthefoxsays]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium (Saturday 22 February, 2pm kick-off) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Lucia Scott
14. Cieron Bell
13. Lisa Brown
12. Giselle Chicot
11. Hannah Walker CAPTAIN
10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Rhea Clarke
1. Alison Wilson
2. Aila Ronald VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Samaanther Taganekurukuru
7. Charlotte Fosbeary
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements
16. Karis Craig
17. Talei Tawake
18. Megan Riach
19. Cat Moody*
20. Alex Stewart
21. Emily Love
22. Sarah Denholm
23. Lucy MacRae

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: April McKenzie, Holly McIntyre, Hannah McMahon, Pip Benson, Georgia Young, Shona Campbell

A tough game tomorrow, especially given our recent results. Preview piece here: https://open.substack.com/pub/theburghw ... d&r=3cmm5d

[bignose]

I can't see this being anything other than one way traffic for the away team. It will need a serious improvement in all aspects of the game if Edinburgh are to pull themselves out of the hole that they've ended up in. Glasgow look favourites to be the top Scottish team this season, I'm afraid.

Having said that, I would love to be proved wrong, but I've seen no real change in how they're playing week on week for the seven games so far

[andthefoxsays]

It's been a tough season for the women - and it won't get any easier in the last fixture away to title-chasing Wolfhounds tomorrow.

It's an injury/illness ravaged 23, shorn of most of our Scotland squad players. I'm a little worried about this, to be honest!

My preview here, including thoughts on the season and a wish list for next year: https://open.substack.com/pub/theburghw ... medium=web

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Irish Wolfhounds at Energia Park
Saturday 8 March, 12.15pm kick-off – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Hannah Ramsay
14. Cieron Bell
13. Lisa Brown
12. Giselle Chicot
11. Lucia Scott
10. Sarah Denholm CAPTAIN
9. Rhea Clarke

1. Alison Wilson
2. Karis Craig
3. Megan Riach
4. Lucy Christie
5. Natasha Logan VICE-CAPTAIN
6. Cat Moody
7. Charlotte Russell
8. Merryn Gunderson

Replacements

16. Millie Capaldi*
17. Talei Tawake
18. Kaylee Fraser
19. Rowan McPherson*
20. Faye Sutherland
21. Pip Benson
22. April McKenzie*
23. Nicole Marlow

Unavailable: Hannah McMahon, Dawn Lawrie, Georgia Young, Holly McIntyre, Sam Taganekurukuru, Charlotte Fosbeary, Shona Campbell, Lucy MacRae, Hannah Walker, Molly Poolman, Aila Ronald, Adelle Ferrie, Alex Stewart, Chloe Brown, Lauryn Walter

*Edinburgh Rugby debut