Talking points from Scotland team to play Australia in WXV decider

Lisa Thomson and Coreen Grant return to the backline, where there is also a first Test start for scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden, who has impressed in each of her appearances from the bench since her debut against Wales last month. 

Up front, Elliann Clarke and Eva Donaldson start in the front five, while Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher are both reinstated to the back row alongside captain Rachel Malcolm. 

Here are five talking points from the team selection. 

Thomson preferred at inside centre

Easson has opted for experience in his midfield, with double Olympian Thomson restored to the starting line-up alongside Emma Orr as Meryl Smith, last weekend's player of the match, drops to the bench. 

Easson admitted that was a difficult decision. 

“That was a tough conversation and a tough selection to make," he said.  

“Meryl is really smart, she gets it, she knows what her role is this weekend and I’ve no doubt that she’ll play it perfectly.” 

Lisa Thomson returns to the starting XV (Image: SNS) Time is right for Leia Brebner-Holden

The scrum-half has been outstanding in each of her four caps to date, adding real tempo from the bench, and has been rewarded with a first start in Cape Town. 

Easson explained the rationale behind bringing her into the starting XV at the expense of the experienced Caity Mattinson, who is on the bench

"We’re now building a really good squad and we can look at that squad tactically around how we want to play," he said. 

"Australia are a real athletic side, they’ve got a very physical front five, and they’ve got athletes right across the pitch. 

“We know how we want to negate their threats. We’ve also picked a team that allows us to have opportunities in certain parts of the pitch."

Starts for Eva Donaldson and Elliann Clarke

Second row Donaldson, who made her Scotland debut back in 2021, and prop Clarke will make their second international starts in Cape Town. 

It is a big decision from Easson to throw the pair in from the off in such a big game, but he sung their praises after naming his team earlier today. 

The Scotland coach said: "Elliann has worked particularly hard around her game. Her and CB work really hard together and we've got two really good tightheads. Elliann deserves that opportunity to show what she's like from the start. 

"Eva has grown so much over the last two or three years. She's always been energetic and given us something around the pitch and we know Australia will threaten us with ball in hand.

Eva Donaldson will make just her second start (Image: SNS) "However, she's possibly the best jumper we have lineout-wise and we know she'll put a lot of stress on them. We looked at that tactically and believe she'll bring real positives for us. "

Why Alex Stewart was not considered 

Easson revealed back-row Alex Stewart, arguably Scotland's stand-out performer from the Six Nations, was not in contention for selection due to injury. 

"She was the one player who was left out due to injury," he said, before paying tribute to the S&C and medical teams for keeping the players largely injury-free throughout the competition. 

On Stewart, Easson added: "She failed an HIA 1 and HIA 2 but passed HIA 3 so she was available but we felt that for player welfare, and from a preparation point of view, we made that decision early in the week."

Scotland know they must be ruthless

Victory for Scotland would give them the WXV 2 title for the second year in a row, and captain Rachel Malcolm knows they cannot afford to be as profligate as they were last weekend against Japan. 

Rachel Malcolm knows Scotland cannot afford to let opportunities pass them by this weekend (Image: SNS) The skipper said: "In international rugby you're not always going to have five or 10 opportunities and if it's only one, how do you do everything in your power to influence your performance and those around you to make sure you take that opportunity. 

"We need to be more ruthless and take opportunities when they present themselves."

The teams

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Eva Donaldson, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher

Replacements: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Christine Belisle, Louise McMillan, Jade Konkel, Caity Mattinson, Meryl Smith, Lucia Scott

Australia: Caitlyn Halse, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Cecilia Smith, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Layne Morgan; Bridie O'Gorman, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (captain), Siokapesi Palu, Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra

Replacements: Tiarna Molloy, Sally Fuesaina, Alapeta Ngauamo, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Samantha Wood, Trilleen Pomare, Lori Cramer