Lightning will play Welsh rivals Thunder in Round 1 of the tournament at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, December 21st (KO: 2.30pm.)
The Celtic Challenge has unveiled its fixture list for the competition between two Welsh sides, two Irish teams and two Scottish clubs.
Wales has a double header of Welsh derbies over the first two weekends of Celtic Challenge, with Brython Thunder hosting Gwalia Lightning at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, December 28th, (KO: 2.30pm).
Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin, said: “To have a Welsh derby to kick off the new Celtic Challenge campaign will focus the minds of both sets of players and coaches on the first weekend.
“Both teams have one win each from last season and there is always an extra edge when you play against another Welsh team. We look forward to giving Thunder a warm welcome at home.
Brython Thunder head coach, Ashley Beck, said: “To kick-off with a Welsh derby could not be better for the players and coaches of both sides. We all know each other, and these are the games that you always look for when the fixtures are announced.
“Gwalia caught us cold in the first fixture last season, but we were deserved winners in the return game at Parc Y Scarlets in the final game of the campaign.”
The Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder squads will be announced in December and will include a host of experienced Welsh internationals and the best young Welsh talent emerging through the WRU’s new Players Development Centres.
The likes of experienced Wales Test stars Alex Callender, Natalia John, Meg Webb and Nel Metcalfe all played in last season’s tournament, while Gwennan Hopkins, Catherine Richards, Sian Jones and Molly Reardon used it as a platform to gain full international honours in the red shirt.
The WRU-owned franchises will compete in the new expanded home and away Celtic Challenge tournament, between teams from Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
The cross-border tournament is in its third season with Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder representing Wales against Scottish clubs, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Irish teams, Clover and Wolfhounds.
The tournament is in its third season and is designed to bridge the gap between the club game and the Test match arena in the women’s game.
