Scotland vs Australia WXV: Kick-Off Time, TV & Team News

Scotland v Australia in the WXV Global Series kicks off at 2am UK time this Saturday, October 17th, at Stadium Australia in Sydney, and it is free to watch on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app. It is Scotland’s first-ever tour of Australia, and hooker Lana Skeldon wins her 91st cap.

I know 2am is a big ask, but set the alarm for this one. Scotland have never beaten the Wallaroos, they lost 30-10 to them in Edinburgh only a few weeks ago, and now they have to try to turn that around on the other side of the world.

Scotland v Australia	Details
Date	Saturday October 17th, 2026
Kick-off	2am UK time
Venue	Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium), Sydney
Referee	Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Last meeting	Scotland 10-30 Australia, Edinburgh
TV and stream	BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app (free)

What Changes Have Scotland Made For Australia?

Interim head coach Dave Butcher has made two changes to the side beaten in Edinburgh. Winger Katie Buchanan and scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden come into the starting line-up, with Shona Campbell and Ceitidh Ainsworth dropping to the bench.

The pack is unchanged. Anne Young, Skeldon and Elliann Clarke make up the front row again, and Rachel Malcolm captains the side from the back row. Helen Nelson starts at fly-half and Chloe Rollie is among the replacements, so there is experience to come off the bench in the second half.

Lana Skeldon’s 91st Cap: Where Does She Rank For Scotland?

Skeldon is already second on Scotland Women’s all-time appearance list, behind only Donna Kennedy, and she has been one of the constants of this Scotland side for years. Speaking to Scottish Rugby before the trip, she described joining that company as a “pinch-me moment”.

“To be up there with the likes of Donna Kennedy, these are people I’ve looked up to my entire career and have been so inspirational to me,” she told Scottish Rugby. “But now I’m up there on the list as one of them, so I think to myself that I must be doing that to somebody else.”

How Have Australia Lined Up Against Scotland?

Australia make just one change. Maya Stewart is back on the wing after missing the first three WXV Global Series games through injury, while Caitlyn Halse misses out, so Desiree Miller moves to full-back with Amelia Whitaker on the other wing.

Fly-half Waiaria Ellis keeps the number 10 shirt after running the show against France and Scotland, and that is the danger. Siokapesi Palu Sekona captains the side from blindside flanker, Pia Tapsell moves to number eight, and prop Eva Karpani is set to win her 49th cap from the bench.

Can Scotland Beat Australia For The First Time?

History says it is a tall order. Scotland have never beaten Australia, and the closest they came was in 2022, when they lost by two points in a pool match at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

For me, the key is the set piece. Butcher has kept faith with the same pack, and if Skeldon’s front row can give Scotland a platform and stop Ellis getting the Wallaroos on the front foot, they are capable of making this a lot closer than 30-10. Leave Ellis time on the ball, and it could be another long night, or early morning, for Scottish fans.

What Else Is On In The WXV Global Series This Weekend?

There are four matches in this round of the new 12-team women’s tournament, which started in the Northern Hemisphere in September and has now moved south and to North America.

Fixture	Venue
Canada v England	BMO Field, Toronto
Australia v Scotland	Stadium Australia, Sydney
New Zealand v France	Hamilton
USA v Italy	Mansfield, Texas

Canada v England is the pick of the rest. It is a rerun of the 26-26 draw at Sandy Park a month ago, and a record crowd is expected in Toronto, with Amy Cokayne back in England’s starting line-up after injury.

Your Questions Answered

What time is Scotland v Australia in the WXV?

Scotland v Australia kicks off at 2am UK time on Saturday October 17th, 2026, at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The ground is also known by its sponsored name, Accor Stadium. It is the fourth match of Scotland’s WXV Global Series campaign and their first Test on Australian soil.

How can I watch Scotland v Australia in the UK?

The game is live and free on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app. It has not been picked up for a traditional TV channel, so streaming is the way to watch, either live in the early hours or on catch-up later on Saturday.

Have Scotland women ever beaten Australia?

No. Scotland have never beaten Australia in women’s rugby. Their closest result was a two-point defeat in a pool match at the Rugby World Cup in 2022, and they lost 30-10 to the Wallaroos in Edinburgh earlier in this WXV Global Series.

For every game this weekend, check our rugby on TV today guide, and for the latest from the Test scene, our international rugby coverage.