Navan RFC Women’s forward Rosie Searle has been named in the starting XV for the Clovers ahead of their opening fixture in the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge, as confirmed this morning by head coach Denis Fogarty. Searle will line out at openside flanker (No. 6) when the Clovers take on Welsh outfit Gwalia Lightning at Energia Park, Donnybrook, this morning (Saturday), with kick-off at 11:30am.
The selection marks another significant milestone in what has been an outstanding year for the Navan RFC player. During the summer, Searle earned international honours with the Ireland Women’s Under-20s, before making her senior debut for Leinster during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship in August.
Only last weekend, Searle was back in action for Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV, helping her club to a commanding 76–7 victory over New Ross at Balreask Old. That result sees Navan top of Leinster Women’s Division One as they head into 2026.
Elsewhere in the competition, Ireland’s other representative side, the reigning champions Wolfhounds, begin their title defence tomorrow afternoon, also at Energia Park, when they face Edinburgh Rugby at 2:30pm, completing a Celtic Challenge Round One double-header in Donnybrook.
Navan connections are further represented in the Wolfhounds matchday squad, with former Navan youth players Kate Jordan named in the starting XV at second row and Jade Gaffney included among the replacements at scrum-half.
