Scotland Women Make Key Changes to Face Australia in WXV Series Final Home Game

Scotland’s women’s rugby team is set to face Australia this Saturday at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium in their last home game of the 2026 WXV Global Series. This match will see the return of Rachel McLachlan and Evie Wills, both coming back from injury to start the game.

Interim coach Dave Butcher has made four changes to the Scotland starting lineup following a tough 66-14 loss to New Zealand last week. McLachlan returns to the openside flanker position, replacing Eva Donaldson who moves to the bench. Wills steps into the outside centre spot, taking over from Rachel Philipps, who is sidelined with concussion. At full-back, Hannah Ramsay replaces Chloe Rollie, and Sarah Bonar moves into the second row to cover for injured Emma Wassell, who is out with a wrist injury expected to keep her sidelined for about 10 weeks.

The match kicks off at 4:10pm BST and will be broadcast live on BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer, giving fans across the UK a chance to watch. This fixture is notable as the first time Scotland and Australia will meet on Scottish soil in a women’s Test match. Their last encounter was in 2024 during the WXV2 final in Cape Town, where Australia won 31-22.

Australia come into the game with only one change from their last match, which was a close 29-26 loss to France. Brianna Hoy returns to the Wallaroos’ starting side. Another highlight for the Australians is Michaela Leonard, who is set to make history by becoming the first Australian woman to reach 50 Test caps in this game.

Scotland will be keen to bounce back after their heavy defeats earlier in the series, while Australia will aim to maintain their unbeaten record against Scotland, having won all four previous matches played at neutral venues. Following this home game, Scotland will travel to Australia for two more Tests in October, continuing the WXV Global Series schedule.