Australia and Scotland kick off the penultimate week of the WXV Global Series, with both sides opting to make several changes to their matchday squads. Canada and England follow next, in a contest that will surely grab the main spotlight.
Australia v Scotland
Australia and Scotland are locked in for the third game of the series, with both sides making several changes to their matchday squads.
Scotland head into the game with a revamped backline, pairing Helen Nelson with Meryl Smith in the centres, while Hannah Ramsay takes the fly-half reins after missing last weekend's clash. Nelson’s role change comes as a result of Evie Willis’s forced absence with injury.
Aicha Sutcliffe replaces Leah Bartlett at hooker, and Sarah Bonar returns to the starting XV, with Scotland's staff making no further changes in the forward department, leaving the back-row trio of Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher untouched.
Glasgow Warriors prop Imogen Spence and centre Nicole Flynn are the most notable additions to the squad, with both in line to make their debuts should they take the field this Friday. 19-year-old Spence and 21-year-old Flynn earned the trust of the coaching staff led by Dave Butcher.
The Wallaroos have made seven changes to the starting line-up, with Cecilia Smith and Emily Chancellor leading the charge. The two Wallaroos legends will bid farewell to the test scene this weekend, with the centre and flanker having 33 and 41 caps, respectively, for their country. In the front-row, Allana Sikimeti and Tania Naden will pair with Faliki Pohiva, as second-row Tiarah Minns replaces Michaela Leonard in the forward pack, and Piper Duck shifts to number-eight.
Smith is the only change in the backline, coming in for Desiree Miller, and pushing Faitala Moleka to full-back. With the exception of one-cap Ella Ryan, the bench stays mostly the same as the one that featured in the win in Sydney. Fans can expect to see Eva Karpani, Brianna Hoy, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Piper Simons and Lily Bone unleashed in the final 40 minutes.
The hosts will look to clinch their third win in three games, while Scotland still haven't tasted a positive result from their WXV Global Series campaign. If the Wallaroos win, it will mark their longest winning streak since 2024, when they beat Wales, South Africa, and Scotland in succession.
Australia (15-9; 1-8): Faitala Moleka; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Cecilia Smith, Amelia Whitaker; Waiaria Ellis, Samantha Wood; Allana Sikimeti, Tania Naden, Faliki Pohiva; Kaitlan Leaney, Tiarah Minns; Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt), Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck. Replacements: Brittany Merlo, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Lily Bone, Piper Simons, Ella Ryan.
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Meryl Smith, Helen Nelson, Katie Buchanan; Hannah Ramsay, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Aicha Sutcliffe, Elliann Clarke; Holland Bogan, Sarah Bonar; Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Replacements: Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett, Imogen Spence, Hollie Cunningham, Eva Donaldson, Ceitidh Ainsworth, Nicole Flynn, Lucia Scott.
Canada v England
Match preview to follow
Canada (15-9; 1-8):
England:
New Zealand v France
Match preview to follow
New Zealand (15-9; 1-8): xxx
France: xxxx
Japan v Wales
Match preview to follow
Japan (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Wales: xxxx
South Africa v Ireland
Match preview to follow
South Africa (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Ireland: xxxx
USA v Italy
Match preview to follow
USA (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Italy: xxxx
