The Wheelchair Celtic Cup, featuring Ireland, Wales and hosts Scotland, returns to The Oriam Performance Centre near Edinburgh on Saturday 23 May.
Holders Ireland will be looking to secure a third straight victory after winning their first back-to-back titles last year, when the annual tournament was staged in Cardiff for the first time.
“The Celtic Cup grows in strength, and this year promises to provide three great matches on the back of domestic development in each nation,” commented Ireland head coach Phil Roberts who, like his counterparts, will use it as preparation for the IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, which will be staged in Wollongong, Australia in October.
Roberts added: “Our goal for the tournament is to produce two consistent performances with high intensity and skill execution. That is what we have been working to achieve and, if we do that, everything else falls into place.”
Wales, who won seven straight Celtic titles between 2016 and 2023 will be keen to demonstrate their improvement on the back of a solid winter of preparation which has included two games against the UK Armed Forces.
They will be looking to lay down a marker against Ireland, in particular, who they meet in the group stages of the World Cup.
“We understand what it means to wear that red shirt and are determined to represent it with pride,” said Wales head coach Alan Caron. “The Celtic Cup is vital in getting us to where we need to be for Australia.”
Scotland are the only nation of the trio who are yet to record a Celtic Cup triumph, but a steady year of growth domestically and with Edinburgh Giants competing in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League have given the squad a lift in confidence under head coach Martyn Gill, who is in his second year in charge.
“As we head into our second Celtic Cup together as a group, there’s a real sense of growth around the squad” noted Gill.
“Last year was an important step for us — it gave the players a chance to experience the level, intensity, and standards required in this competition. We learned a lot from that campaign, not just tactically but about ourselves as a team.
“The players have taken those lessons on board, and we saw some improvements when we faced Ireland in the Autumn. This is another opportunity for us to keep building.”
2026 CELTIC CUP FIXTURES
Saturday 23 May, Oriam Performance Centre
1100: Scotland v Ireland
1300: Ireland v Wales
1500: Scotland v Wales
Tickets are available priced at £6 for adults, with free entry for Under 16s: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celtic-cup-2026-tickets-1985267906751?aff=oddtdtcreator
