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 what promises to be an all-in encounter as the world champions look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss in Toronto, while New Zealand have rotated heavily for their historic 150th test, against France in Whangārei.
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. The 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
A week after Canada ended England’s four-year unbeaten run, the two sides meet for a third and final time in this year’s WXV Global Series at Ottowa’s TD Place Stadium.
Taylor Perry returns to her familiar fly-half position in the most notable change to Canada’s squad, while Shoshanah Seumanutafa earns a start at inside centre after coming off the bench earlier than expected to score the decisive late try in the historic win over England last week.
Gabrielle Senft moves into the starting ling-up, with Caroline Crossley set to join the 15s action for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup off the bench.
England head coach John Mitchell has made four changes to his Red Roses starting XV as they look to get back on even terms with Canada following the two sides’ September draw in Exeter and Canada’s win last weekend in Toronto.
Emma Sing starts at full-back as Ellie Kildunne drops to the bench, while Mia Venner starts on the wing, and Helena Rowland returns at inside centre. Sadia Kabeya is on the openside flank, in the only change to the pack that began last weekend’s record-ending test in Toronto.
Canada (15-9; 1-8): Savannah Bauder; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Olivia Apps; Mikiela Nelson, Kiki Idowu, DaLeaka Menin; Sophie de Goede (capt), Laetitia Royer; Gabrielle Senft, Julia Omokhuale, Lizzie Gibson. Replacements: Emily Tuttosi, Brittany Kassil, Brooke Rempel, Fabiola Forteza, Pamphinette Buisa, Caroline Crossley, Justine Pelletier, Alexandra Tessier.
England: Emma Sing; Jess Breach, Megan Jones, Helena Rowland, Mia Venner; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern; Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion; Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati. Replacements: Bryony Field, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Demelza Short, Alex Matthews, Flo Robinson, Holly Aitchison, Ellie Kildunne.
New Zealand v France
Numerous selection calls for New Zealand for their historic 150th test match - at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei - after head coach Whitney Hansen made 13 changes to the side that beat France 81-12 last weekend.
Laura Bayfield joins Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu in the second row, while Layla Sae starts in the backrow alongside Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Ruahei Demant returns to captaincy duties at fly-half, alongside scrum-half Tara Turner. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a moves from the bench to start out wide, a reward for her four tries last weekend, as does Mererangi Paul on the opposite wing.
Hooker Atlanta Lolohea, props Maddison Robinson and Santo Taumata are on the bench alongside second-rows Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Amarante Sititi. Backs Maia Joseph, Hannah King and Justine McGregor will also look to create impact off the bench.
France coach Francois Ratier has made eight changes to the side that was comprehensively beaten last weekend, with fly-half Carla Arbez, centre Gabrielle Vernier, and full-back Émilie Boulard all adding their experience to the starting line-up. Out wide, Anaïs Grando replaces Léa Murie.
Loosehead prop Ambre Mwayembe and second-row Cloé Correa are straight back in the starting line-up after serving suspensions; hooker Mathilde Lazarko also returns to the run-on 15, with Élisa Riffonneau dropping to the bench after three matches in the number 2 jersey. Second-row Lou Roboam is set to start her first game, after appearances off the bench against Canada and New Zealand.
New Zealand (15-9; 1-8): Braxton Sorensen-McGee; Mererangi Paul, Amy Du Plessis, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a; Ruahei Demant (capt), Tara Turner; Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu; Laura Bayfield, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu; Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Layla Sae, Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Replacements: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Justine McGregor.
France: Émilie Boulard; Marie Ibañez, Gabrielle Vernier, Teani Feleu, Anaïs Grando; Carla Arbez, Alexandre Chambon; Ambre Mwayembe, Mathilde Lazarko, Assia Khalfaoui, Lou Roboam, Cloé Correa, Axelle Berthoumieu, Mouna Toure, Léa Champon. Replacements: Élisa Riffonneau, Amalia Bazola Allieres, Marion Latonnelle, Julia Grosz, Elsa Peyras, Lylou Pedussaud, Lina Queyroi, Charlie Gauyat
Japan v Wales
Japan will host Wales at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium this Saturday in what will be the Sakura's 100th Test match. To mark the milestone, head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa has made a few surprise additions to the squad, with two debutants in the starting line-up and one more on the bench. 24-year-old number-eight Sarah Bodman will earn her first cap for the Sakura, and Sophie Akiko Langford will join Uta Kataoka in the centres.
While the forward pack has seen only one change, the backline has experienced four, as Japan's staff chose to give Komachi Imakugi and Sora Nishimura control of the wings. Powerhouse Jennifer Nduka will bring all her expertise and physicality from the bench, while 19-year-old Chihiro Ito is set to make her debut, as the scrum-half is expected to come in the second-half.
The Sakura are chasing their first WXV Global Series win, after falling short against Italy and Ireland, in a match that will mark the women’s national team’s 100th and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Union's founding.
Regarding the Welsh tourists, head coach Sean Lynn has made three changes to the starting lineup, with the main one being Keira Bevan back at fly-half. After impressing in her side's opening game of the WXV Global Series campaign, Bevan will now have the chance to take charge of the Welsh backline again, partnering with Seren Lockwood, who will start at scrum-half against Japan.
Carys Cox jumps from wing to outside centre, with the staff opting to bench Courtney Knight for this game, while Nel Metcalfe joins Amy Williams and Lisa Neumann in the outside back trio. In the forward pack, Jorja Aiono gets her first WXV start after making an impact off the bench against South Africa and the United States of America.
Moving onto the bench, Wales fans can expect a massive energy surge in the second half as Molly Reardon, Gwenllian Pyrs, Elan Jones, Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Bethan Lewis, Lleucu George and Courtney Knight are ready to make a difference once they step into the fray. Of the three past encounters, Japan defeated Wales only once, in 2017; since then, Wales have taken the head-to-head lead and are eyeing a third win.
Japan (15-9; 1-8): Maiko Nishi; Sora Nishimura, Uta Kataoka, Mana Furuta, Komachi Imakugi; Sawa Harada, Moe Tsukui; Hinata Komaki, Moe Nagaoka, Wako Kitano; Masami Kawamura, Yuna Sato, Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai, Jennifer Nduka. Replacements: Nijiho Nagata, Nami Yoshida, Juka Fuji, Otoka Yoshimura, Moe Nishimura, Anan Seo, Minori Yamamoto, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa.
Wales: Lisa Neumann; Nel Metcalfe, Carys Cox, Freya Bell, Amy Williams; Keira Bevan, Seren Lockwood; Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Jorja Aiono, Kate Williams (co-capt), Alex Callender (co-capt), Bryonie King. Replacements: Molly Reardon, Gwenllian Pyrs, Elan Jones, Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Bethan Lewis, Lleucu George, Courtney Knight.
South Africa v Ireland
The Springbok Women will host Ireland for the first time, and both teams will take the Athlone Sports Stadium pitch with momentum on their side.
The home side overcame a disheartening opening-game loss in their WXV Global Series campaign, producing two strong all-around performances to defeat Italy and Spain. Having found their winning rhythm, the South Africa staff kept the starting lineup unchanged, with two exceptions: Maria Tshiremba moved onto the wing, while Sanelisiwe Charlie took the loose-head prop role.
From the side that faced Spain, only a couple of changes were made to the bench, with Thandile Mazwi replacing Nombuyekezo Mdliki among the front-row reserves and utility back Anacadia Minnaar taking the place of Felicia Jacobs.
Ireland, meanwhile, has made several changes to its squad since the last match against Japan in the WXV Global Series, with six changes to the starting 15. Linda Djougang regains her place in the front row alongside Neve Jones and Eilís Cahill, while Jane Clohessy will partner Dorothy Wall in the lock pairing. Brittany Hogan shifts to number eight, allowing Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan to start at blindside, while Erin King leads the side once again. In the backline, scrum-half Emily Lane pairs with Dannah O'Brien in the playmaker pairing.
Aoife Dalton will partner Anna McGann in the centres, and Robyn O'Connor will make her second start of the campaign, joining the outside ranks alongside Béibhinn Parsons and Stacey Flood. Beth Buttimer, Niamh O'Dowd and Sadbh McGrath will be Ireland's front-row replacements; Kate Jordan, Grace Moore and Jemima Adams Verling will add a boost to the loose-forward trio. Finally, Scott Bemand will have only Aoibheann Reilly and Eve Higgins as his backline options.
South Africa (15-9; 1-8): Jakkie Cilliers; Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Maria Tshiremba; Byrhandre Dolf, Unam Tose; Sanelisiwe Charlie, Anushka Groenewald, Xoliswa Khuzwayo; Vainah Ubisi, Catha Jacobs; Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele. Replacements: Lindelwa Gwala, Yonela Ngxingolo, Thandile Mazwi, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Anacadia Minnaar, Mary Zulu.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilís Cahill, Jane Clohessy, Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Erin King (capt), Brittany Hogan. Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Kate Jordan, Grace Moore, Jemima Adams Verling, Aoibheann Reilly, Eve Higgins.
USA v Italy
Match preview to follow
USA (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Italy: xxxx
