Wallaroos lock Michaela Leonard is set to become the first player to reach 50 Test caps after being named to start against Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday morning (1:10am AEST).
Leonard, who became the most-capped Australian Test player in April, will reach the historic milestone this weekend as the Wallaroos chase their first victory of the WXV Global Series.
The 31-year-old has featured in 49 out of the 102 Wallaroos Tests played since 1994 and has missed just two internationals since making her debut against Japan in 2019.
The Wallaroos have made five changes to the matchday 23 that were narrowly beaten by France last week in Marseille.
Brianna Hoy returns to the starting side while experienced prop Bridie O’Gorman has been added to the bench, along with back-rowers Emily Chancellor and Lily Bone.
Queensland Reds captain Jemma Bemrose is also back on deck while Martha Fua is in line to play her first Test of the tour after being included in the 23.
The backline is otherwise unchanged with Faitala Moleka and Georgina Friedrichs in the centres alongside Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker on the wings.
Miller is four points away from becoming the first player to reach 100 points for the Wallaroos.
Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said: “Statistically and objectively we have improved considerably throughout the last three Test matches and continuing on this tangent is our objective.
“In terms of milestones we will celebrate with Michaela Leonard as she runs out onto the field for her record-breaking 50th Test.”
The Wallaroos last played Scotland when they claimed the WXV 2 title in Cape Town in 2024.
Previously the two nations have met on four occasions since 1998 for a 4-0 record in favour of the Wallaroos, however never played a Test in Scottish or Australian soil.
The Wallaroos will host Scotland next month in Sydney (October 17) and Canberra (October 23) to finish the international season.
Watch the Wallaroos during the 2026 WXV Global Series live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
WALLAROOS TEAM FOR WXV GLOBAL SERIES CLASH AGAINST SCOTLAND
1. Brianna Hoy - #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 16 caps
2. Brittany Merlo - #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 6 caps
3. Faliki Pohiva - #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 13 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney - #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 42 caps
5. Michaela Leonard - #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 49 caps
6. Pia Tapsell - #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 3 caps
7. Piper Duck - #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 29 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) - #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 30 caps
9. Samantha Wood - #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 18 caps
10. Waiaria Ellis - #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps
11. Desiree Miller - #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 30 caps
12. Faitala Moleka - #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 33 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs - #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 44 caps
14. Amelia Whitaker - #237 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 2 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse - #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 17 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden - #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 32 caps
17. Martha Fua - #223 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman - #180 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 42 caps
19. Jemma Bemrose - #238 (Queensland Reds/Palm Beach Currumbin Alligators) – 1 cap
20. Emily Chancellor - #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 39 caps
21. Lily Bone - #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 5 caps
22. Tia Hinds - #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 13 caps
23. Ava Wereta - #233 (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers) – 3 caps
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (knee)
- Allana Sikimeti (back)
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos 33 defeated Fijiana 15 at GIO Stadium
- April 11: Canada 24 defeated Wallaroos 0 at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA
- April 17: USA 33 defeated Wallaroos 12 at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA
- April 25: Wallaroos 5 defeated by New Zealand 40 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
- August 22: New Zealand 66 defeated Wallaroos 19 at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
WXV Global Series
- September 13: England 48 defeated Wallaroos 15 at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford
- September 20: France 29 defeated Wallaroos 26 at Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence
- September 27: Scotland v Wallaroos at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh - 1:10am AEST
- October 17: Wallaroos v Scotland at Accor Stadium, Sydney - 1:00pm AEDT
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland at GIO Stadium, Canberra - 7:30pm AEDT
