Aicha Sutcliffe named for first Scotland start against Australia in WXV finale

Aicha Sutcliffe has been named to make her first Scotland start against Australia at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday 23 October, as Scotland seek their first win in the final match of this season’s WXV Global Series. The Glasgow Warriors hooker, who has six caps from appearances off the bench, is one of three changes to the starting side.

Interim head coach Dave Butcher has also recalled Sarah Bonar in the second row and Chloe Rollie at full-back. Bonar missed Scotland’s previous match in Sydney through illness; Rollie’s return reshapes the back three alongside wings Rhona Lloyd and Katie Buchanan.

How Scotland’s lineup changes for Australia

Hannah Ramsay moves to fly-half for her third consecutive Scotland start, with Leia Brebner-Holden retained at scrum-half. Vice-captain Helen Nelson shifts to inside centre alongside Meryl Smith. Rollie starts behind Buchanan and Lloyd, who both keep their places on the wings. Buchanan scored her first Scotland try against Australia in Sydney, according to Scottish Rugby.

The changes follow a 56-12 defeat to Australia in Sydney. Friday’s fixture will be Scotland’s third consecutive meeting with the Wallaroos, who have won the previous two, and their fifth and final match of this season’s competition.

Two potential Scotland debutants on the bench

Glasgow Warriors centre Nicole Flynn and tighthead prop Imogen Spence are both uncapped and could make their Scotland debuts as replacements. Scottish Rugby lists five forwards and three backs on the bench: Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett, Spence, Hollie Cunningham and Eva Donaldson, followed by Ceitidh Ainsworth, Flynn and Lucia Scott.

Skeldon and Cunningham move from the starting side to the replacements as Sutcliffe and Bonar come in. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9.30am BST, or 7.30pm Australian eastern daylight time, with Scottish Rugby listing RugbyPass TV as the live broadcaster.