Sutcliffe to make first Scotland start in Canberra against Australia
Glasgow Warriors hooker Aicha Sutcliffe will make her first Scotland start in Canberra on Friday in Scotland's final WXV Global Series match against Australia. She is one of three changes named by interim head coach Dave Butcher.
Sutcliffe already has six caps off the bench. It is the Scot's third consecutive match against the Wallaroos. Harlequins lock Sarah Bonar returns in the second row after missing the 56-12 defeat in Sydney through illness.
Chloe Rollie (Edinburgh) comes back into the starting line-up at full-back. Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh) moves to fly-half. Trailfinders' Helen Nelson shifts to inside centre.
Sale Sharks back Evie Wills misses out. Bristol Bears pair Lana Skeldon and Hollie Cunningham drop to the bench to make way for Sutcliffe and Bonar. Two other Glasgow players — centre Nicole Flynn and tighthead prop Imogen Spence — are in line to make their debuts off the bench.
The starting XV named were Chloe Rollie (Edinburgh), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Helen Nelson (Trailfinders) and Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs). Also selected were Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh) and Leia Brebner-Holden (Edinburgh), followed by Anne Young (Glasgow Warriors), Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors) and Elliann Clarke (Glasgow Warriors). Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm, capt (Trailfinders), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier) and Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears) completed the starting XV.
Replacements named were Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks) and Imogen Spence (Glasgow Warriors). Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks) and Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors) were also included among the subs. Nicole Flynn (Glasgow Warriors) and Lucia Scott (Glasgow Warriors) completed the replacement bench.
The match in Canberra is Scotland's fifth and final fixture in this season's WXV Global Series. Scotland are seeking their first win of the competition.