The IRFU has confirmed they will field two teams for the second edition of the Celtic Challenge in 2024, with the new cross-border tournament set to expand.
The 2024 tournament will see two teams each from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and gets under way on Friday, 29 December with a round of derby fixtures.
Ireland's "Combined Provinces" won the inaugural tournament in 2023, which was used to bridge the gap between the Interprovincial Championship and the Women's Six Nations.
This year, the Celtic Challenge will run across an 11-week period, with eight rounds of games, Ireland's representatives will be the Clovers (a combination of Munster and Connacht) and the Wolfhounds (Leinster and Ulster), and they will be joined by Edinburgh and the Glasgow Warriors from Scotland, as well as the Welsh teams Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning.
The Clovers and Wolfhounds will meet in the opening round on 29 December at Musgrave Park, with teams playing each other once during the regular season, with three rounds of playoffs.
"The IRFU considers the Celtic Challenge an integral tournament for the development of women's rugby players in Ireland. It will play a significant role in the player pathway moving forward," IRFU Head of Women's Performance and Pathways Gillian McDarby said.
"In its inaugural/pilot season, one team represented each of the home nations [Ireland, Scotland, and Wales]. However, for the 2024 season, we have expanded the Cross Border competition to include two teams from each union."
"The collective goal of the three unions is to elevate the Celtic Challenge to the highest level of competition possible, ensuring that players are in the best position to compete in the Women’s 6N."
Celtic Challenge selected fixtures:
Round 1 - Friday 29 December:
Wolfhounds v Clovers, Musgrave Park (1pm)
Round 2 - Saturday 6 January:
Edinburgh v Wolfhounds, Hive Stadium (2pm)
Clovers v Brython Thunder, Energia Park (2.30pm)
Round 3 - Saturday 13 January:
Glasgow Warriors v Wolfhounds, Scotstoun (2pm)
Clovers v Gwalia Lightning, Musgrave Park (1pm)
Round 4 - Saturday 27 January
Glasgow Warriors v Clovers, Scotstoun (2pm)
Wolfhounds v Brython Thunder, Kingspan Stadium (7.30pm)
Round 5 - Saturday 3 February
Edinburgh v Clovers, Hive Stadium (12.30pm)
Wolfhounds v Gwalia Lightning, Energia Park (2.30pm)
