Sutcliffe earns first start for Scotland against Australia

Glasgow Warriors hooker Aicha Sutcliffe will start for Scotland for the first time as interim head coach Dave Butcher makes three changes ahead of the final WXV Global Series match against Australia in Canberra on Friday. It will be Scotland’s third straight encounter with the Wallaroos and the side are chasing their first victory in the competition’s concluding game of the season.

Harlequins lock Sarah Bonar is back in the second row after missing the 56‑12 loss in Sydney because of illness. Edinburgh full‑back Chloe Rollie returns to the starting XV, while Hannah Ramsay shifts to fly‑half and Trailfinders centre Helen Nelson moves to inside centre. Sale Sharks back Evie Wills is omitted, and Bristol Bears duo Lana Skeldon and Hollie Cunningham are relegated to the bench to accommodate Sutcliffe and Bonar.

Two other Glasgow Warriors players – centre Nicole Flynn and tighthead prop Imogen Spence – are set to make their debuts off the bench.

Scotland line‑up: Chloe Rollie (Edinburgh), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Helen Nelson (Trailfinders), Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs); Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh), Leia Brebner‑Holden (Edinburgh); Anne Young (Glasgow Warriors), Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors), Elliann Clarke (Glasgow Warriors), Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (captain, Trailfinders), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).

Replacements: Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), Imogen Spence (Glasgow Warriors), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks), Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors), Nicole Flynn (Glasgow Warriors), Lucia Scott (Glasgow Warriors).