Rugby: Ramsey and Douglas Celts to meet in Manx Shield

Celts head into this season as defending champions

Report by Dave Christian:

The second round of the 2026-27 Manx Shield takes place this Saturday with champions Douglas Celts facing Ramsey. 

The Celts won 24-3 at the Mooragh in last year’s Cup and Ramsey will need to up their game a little to close this gap, especially with Southern Nomads off to a flyer last week.

There’ve been few changes to the Ramsey squad over the summer - young second row, Josh Kelly has turned 18 and he made his debut at prop last Saturday guesting for Western Vikings, he’ll likely get the nod to start this week but will find the Celts a stiffer test. 

Angelus Long also had a trundle for Vikings last week and impressed on and off the ball.

No personnel news has been heard from Port-e-Chee over the summer, however last year’s Celts were something of an embarrassment of riches. 

A front row of Rich Bell, Aaron Mason and Ralph Clarke will give a solid platform against most and with the irrepressible Percy Hampton leading from number eight, the Douglas forwards are a formidable force.

This game should be a little closer than the last, but Ramsey will need to really up the ante to beat the Celts and as a first game of the season, the gap may be just too large.

Also, due to Ramsey's pitch being deemed to still be a bit too firm to play on, the venue has now been switched to Port-e-Chee this weekend.

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FIXTURES

Saturday, 12 September, 2026

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Ramsey vs Douglas Celts (2.15pm KO @ Port-e-Chee)