Key players Rachel Philipps and Aila Ronald return as Edinburgh look to end torrid Celtic Challenge season on a high

Gary Heatly

Edinburgh Rugby have had a torrid time in the Celtic Challenge this season, but are looking to end on a high by defeating Glasgow Warriors for a second time on Friday (7.30pm, live on BBC Scotland).

The capital side will finish bottom of the six-team regular season standings whatever happens and are heading to Scotstoun for their final game of 10 having just won one of the previous nine.

Ahead of the match, Edinburgh head coach Claire Cruikshank said: “We said before last week that we wanted to finish strong, and although we didn’t get the result [against Clovers] we showed more of our DNA and fought to the last whistle.

“Glasgow have been in brilliant form this season so we know we’ll need to stay in the fight again this week to finish the campaign how we want to.”

In terms of team news, youngster Bethan Mathieson retains the full-back jersey after an impressive first start last week with wingers Hannah Walker and Cieron Bell once again out wide.

Scotland cap Rachel Philipps returns at 13 and is joined in the midfield by Hannah Ramsay with scrum-half Emily Love and stand-off Nicole Marlow once again the half-backs.

Hooker Aila Ronald coming in is the sole change in the pack, the Scotland wider squad member joining loosehead prop Alison Wilson and tighthead prop Molly Poolman in the front-row. The second-row partnership remains the same as it has all season with Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan in from the start.

And the back-row is also unchanged, with Catriona Moody at No.8 alongside Lauryn McGrotty and Alex Stewart.

Returning duo Rachel Philipps and Aila Ronald are pictured – thanks to Edinburgh Rugby