Australia vs. Scotland Women: Canberra Kickoff, Teams and WXV Match Guide

Australia Women host Scotland Women at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Round 5 of the WXV Global Series. Both teams have named their matchday squads for the fixture, which concludes Scotland’s five-match campaign and Australia’s home Test season. As of October 22, the game has not been played and no final score is available.

Australia vs. Scotland: match details and kickoff time

Important scheduling discrepancy: Rugby Australia’s team announcement, Scottish Rugby’s October 20 team release, and Transport Canberra’s matchday guidance state a 7:30 p.m. AEDT start. However, the World Rugby match center still lists 7:45 p.m. local time (08:45 UTC). These are two different kickoff times, not a daylight saving conversion. The most recent team announcements support 7:30 p.m., but supporters should reconfirm with the match center or broadcaster before traveling or tuning in.

Official Australia Women lineup

Australia has selected Emily Chancellor at openside flanker for her final Wallaroos Test, with Siokapesi Palu Sekona captaining the side. Cecilia Smith also starts at inside center ahead of her international retirement. Eva Karpani is named among the replacements and is in line for her 50th Test appearance if she takes the field. The personnel and jersey numbers below come from Rugby Australia’s official team announcement.

Australia starting XV

1. Allana Sikimeti
2. Tania Naden
3. Faliki Pohiva
4. Kaitlan Leaney
5. Tiarah Minns
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (captain)
7. Emily Chancellor
8. Piper Duck
9. Samantha Wood
10. Waiaria Ellis
11. Amelia Whitaker
12. Cecilia Smith
13. Georgina Friedrichs
14. Maya Stewart
15. Faitala Moleka

Australia replacements (16–23): Brittany Merlo, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Lily Bone, Piper Simons, Ella Ryan.

Official Scotland Women lineup

Interim head coach Dave Butcher has brought Aicha Sutcliffe into the starting team at hooker for her first Scotland start, restored Sarah Bonar to the second row, and selected Chloe Rollie at fullback. Captain Rachel Malcolm continues at blindside flanker, alongside Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher. The selection is confirmed by Scottish Rugby’s official lineup release.

Scotland starting XV

1. Anne Young
2. Aicha Sutcliffe
3. Elliann Clarke
4. Holland Bogan
5. Sarah Bonar
6. Rachel Malcolm (captain)
7. Rachel McLachlan
8. Evie Gallagher
9. Leia Brebner-Holden
10. Hannah Ramsay
11. Katie Buchanan
12. Helen Nelson
13. Meryl Smith
14. Rhona Lloyd
15. Chloe Rollie

Scotland replacements (16–23): Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett, Imogen Spence, Hollie Cunningham, Eva Donaldson, Ceitidh Ainsworth, Nicole Flynn, Lucia Scott.

Glasgow Warriors players Imogen Spence and Nicole Flynn are the two uncapped substitutes. They may make their Scotland debuts if brought on, but selection on the bench does not itself count as an international appearance.

Why the Canberra Test matters

This is the third Australia–Scotland meeting during the 2026 WXV Global Series. The teams met in Edinburgh on September 26 and again in Sydney on October 17; Australia won both encounters, according to Scottish Rugby’s latest preview. Canberra therefore offers Scotland a final opportunity to reverse that trend while Australia aims to complete a sweep of the three Tests.

The Wallaroos also have two significant farewells. Chancellor’s last international appearance brings a lengthy career in the Australian back row to an end, while Smith has confirmed this will be her final Test. Their selection makes the match more than an ordinary season finale for the home side. Further details are available from Rugby Australia’s Cecilia Smith retirement announcement.

What to watch on the field

• Forward exchanges: Australia’s reshuffled front row, with Sikimeti and Naden starting, faces a Scotland unit featuring Sutcliffe’s first start and Bonar’s return. Scrums, lineouts, and clean ruck ball will be important to each side’s attacking platform.
• Midfield organization: Smith and Georgina Friedrichs form Australia’s center pairing, opposite Scotland’s Helen Nelson and Meryl Smith. Defensive reads and territory gained through the middle could shape the match.
• Back-three opportunities: Australia’s Maya Stewart and Faitala Moleka provide pace and counterattack options, while Scotland can look to Rhona Lloyd and Chloe Rollie in space.
• Bench impact: Karpani’s possible 50th cap and Scotland’s two potential debutants add particular interest to the second half.

How to watch and follow the final result

Rugby Australia says the Canberra match is available live and on demand on Stan Sport. Scottish Rugby directs viewers to RugbyPass TV; access may depend on the country or territory. Check each service’s current event page and regional availability rather than assuming that either service carries the match worldwide.

For stadium attendees, Transport Canberra’s event guidance says match ticket holders can travel free on eligible public transport throughout October 23, with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. AEDT. Plan the return journey in advance.

Result status: No final score, try scorers, or match statistics are confirmed before kickoff. After the game, consult the official World Rugby match center for the recorded result, lineup changes, and match statistics. That live record should take precedence over a pregame preview once updated.