Katie Buchanan gets first start for Scotland

Exeter Chiefs winger Katie Buchanan will get her first start for Scotland as they take on Australia in Sydney in their first away match of the WXV Global Series.

One of two changes made by Scotland Women’s interim head coach Dave Butcher, Buchanan will run out in the number 11 jersey,

This weekend’s test is the fourth in the series, with Scotland Women having already faced Canada, New Zealand and the Aussies back in Edinburgh. This match is the first time Scotland Women face the Wallaroos in Australia on Saturday - KO 2:00 (BST).

And following Scotland’s last outing three weeks ago against the same opposition on home soil at Hive Stadium, scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden and Buchanan come into the starting line-up.

Buchanan, who debuted in the opening match of the series against Canada, will start on the left wing, with Rhona Lloyd featuring down the right. Hannah Ramsay keeps her place at full-back to make up the back three.

The midfield is unchanged from the previous encounter with Evie Wills and Meryl Smith set to start at outside and inside centre, respectively.

Having made her first appearance of the series from the bench against Australia last month, Brebner-Holden will feature at scrum-half, partnering vice-captain Helen Nelson at stand-off.

The forward pack set to start at the Accor Stadium in Sydney is the same as who lined up against the Wallaroos in Edinburgh last month.

Making up the front row, Anne Young will start at loosehead prop, with Scotland Women’s second-most capped player Lana Skeldon lining up once more at hooker, and the ever-present Elliann Clarke at tighthead.

Holland Bogan and Sarah Bonar will feature together once more in the second row.

Captain Rachel Malcolm will lead Scotland Women against the Wallaroos for the first time on Australian soil, lining up at blindside flanker and she will partner Rachel McLachlan on the openside.

Evie Gallagher, who has impressed by scoring four tries across Scotland’s three home matches, will line up wearing the number eight jersey once again.

Scotland’s bench is made up of a five-three split of forwards and backs.

The back replacements include Ceitidh Ainsworth, Shona Campbell and Chloe Rollie.

Available to supplement the forward pack from the bench are Aicha Sutcliffe, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Hollie Cunningham and Eva Donaldson.

SCOTLAND

15 Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby (5)
14 Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks (69)
13 Evie Wills – Glasgow Warriors (11)
12 Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (30)
11 Katie Buchanan – Exeter Chiefs (3)
10 Helen Nelson – Vice-captain – Trailfinders Women (83)
9 Leia Brebner-Holden – Edinburgh Rugby (21)
1 Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors (26)
2 Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (90)
3 Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors (32)
4 Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors (7)
5 Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (53)
6 Rachel Malcolm – Captain – Trailfinders Women (67)
7 Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (60)
8 Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (45)

Replacements:
16 Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors (5)
17 Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (57)
18 Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby (15)
19 Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (9)
20 Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (29)
21 Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors (3)
22 Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks (17)
23 Chloe Rollie – Edinburgh Rugby (89)