Injury forces Scotland into changes as Wallaroos arrive in Edinburgh for WXV opener

Scotland interim head coach Dave Butcher has made four changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s 2026 WXV Global Series clash against Australia in Edinburgh, with two of those alterations forced by injury.

Second row Emma Wassell has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a wrist injury, bringing Sarah Bonar in to partner Holland Bogan in the engine room. Centre Rachel Philipps misses out with concussion, handing Evie Wills a starting berth alongside Meryl Smith.

Beyond the enforced changes, Butcher has also opted to hand Hannah Ramsay her first start of the series at full-back, ahead of Chloe Rollie, after the Edinburgh Rugby player impressed from the bench against Canada and New Zealand. Rachel McLachlan completes the back-row reshuffle, lining up alongside captain Rachel Malcolm and number eight Evie Gallagher.

The rest of the side shows considerable continuity. Ceitidh Ainsworth retains the scrum-half jersey to partner vice-captain Helen Nelson at ten, while the front row is unchanged, with Anne Young and Elliann Clarke at prop and Lana Skeldon at hooker. Skeldon’s inclusion is a notable milestone — the Bristol Bears hooker earns her 90th cap for Scotland.

The Edinburgh fixture is the first of three scheduled meetings between Scotland and the Wallaroos in 2026. The sides will meet twice more in Australia in October, giving both teams ample opportunity to build momentum. Neither side has yet recorded a win in the WXV Global Series, adding an extra edge to the contest.

Scotland matchday squad v Australia

1. Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby
2. Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks
3. Evie Wills – Glasgow Warriors
4. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears
5. Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks
6. Helen Nelson – Trailfinders Women (vice-captain)
7. Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors
8. Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors
9. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears
10. Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors
11. Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors
12. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins
13. Rachel Malcolm – Trailfinders Women (captain)
14. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier
15. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears

Replacements: 16. Aicha Sutcliffe, 17. Leah Bartlett, 18. Molly Poolman, 19. Hollie Cunningham, 20. Eva Donaldson, 21. Leia Brebner-Holden, 22. Katie Buchanan, 23. Chloe Rollie.