Buchanan earns first Scotland start as Butcher makes two changes for Sydney rematch

Katie Buchanan will make her first Scotland start when Dave Butcher’s side face Australia at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, the second fixture in a three-match WXV Global Series series between the two nations.

The Exeter Chiefs wing, who has three caps to her name, comes into the starting XV in place of Shona Campbell, who drops to the bench. The only other change sees Edinburgh Rugby scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden handed her first start of the autumn, partnering vice-captain Helen Nelson at half-back.

The changes come three weeks after Australia defeated Scotland 30-10 at home in Edinburgh. The two sides will meet for a third time when the autumn series concludes in Canberra.

The rest of the backline is unchanged, with Hannah Ramsay at full-back, Rhona Lloyd on the opposite wing, and Evie Wills and Meryl Smith continuing their midfield partnership.

Butcher has kept faith with the same pack that faced Australia in Edinburgh. Anne Young, Lana Skeldon and Elliann Clarke form the front row, Holland Bogan and Sarah Bonar continue in the second row, and captain Rachel Malcolm leads from the back row alongside Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher.

Scotland matchday 23 v Australia — WXV Global Series

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

Replacements: 16. Aicha Sutcliffe, 17. Leah Bartlett, 18. Molly Poolman, 19. Hollie Cunningham, 20. Eva Donaldson, 21. Ceitidh Ainsworth, 22. Shona Campbell, 23. Chloe Rollie.