Brebner-Holden starts for Scots in Aussie decider

Leia Brebner-Holden was a replacement for the win over Japan

WXV2: Australia v Scotland

Venue: Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town Date: Saturday, 12 October Kick-off: 16:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website & app.

Cheltenham Tigers scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden will make her first Scotland start in their WXV2 decider against Australia in Cape Town.

Australia lead the table after bonus-point wins over Wales and South Africa, but second-placed Scotland will finish top with a victory as long as their opponents do not earn another two bonus points.

The Scots are currently fifth in the world rankings, two places above Australia, but lost 14-12 to Saturday's opponents at the last World Cup.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson makes seven changes overall from the side that defeated Japan, having started with a win over Italy.

The 22-year-old Brebner-Holden earns her fifth cap as Caity Mattinson, the 26-times capped Ealing Trailfinders scrum-half, finds herself on the bench despite being player of the match against Japan.

Coreen Grant is on the wing in place of Rhona Lloyd, who drops out of the squad, while Emma Orr is in for Meryl Smith at outside centre.

Elliann Clarke replaces Christine Belisle at tighthead prop, Eva Donaldson is in for Louise McMillan in the second row, Rachel McLachlan is at openside in place of Alex Stewart, who also drops out, while Jade Kronkel makes way for Evie Gallagher at number eight.

Meanwhile, Wallaroos backrower Ash Marsters will become the most-capped women's player in Australian rugby history when she makes her 34th appearance to eclipse the mark set by prop Liz Patu.

Head coach Jo Yapp has named the same starting line-up that defeated South Africa 33-26 but told Rugby Australia: "Our performances over the past fortnight have been positive, but we'll need to go to another level against Scotland this weekend."

Team line-ups

Australia: Caitlyn Halse (Southern Districts), Maya Stewart (Nelson Bay Gropers), Georgina Friedrichs (Wests Bulldogs), Cecilia Smith (Leeton Dianas), Desiree Miller (Eastern Suburbs), Faitala Moleka (Blacktown Scorpions), Layne Morgan (Merewether Carlton); Bridie O'Gorman (Sydney University), Tania Naden (Uni-North Owls), Eva Karpani (Onkaparinga), Kaitlan Leaney (CSU Marlins), Michaela Leonard (Tuggeranong Vikings), Siokapesi Palu (Rockdale Rangers), Ashley Marsters (Booroondarra), Tabua Tuinakauvadra (Tuggeranong Vikings).

Replacements: Tiarna Molloy (Inverell Highlanders), Sally Fuesaina (Campbeltown Harlequins), Alapeta Ngauamo (Wests Bulldogs), Atasi Lafai (Campbelltown Harlequins), Lucy Dinnen (Wanneroo), Samantha Wood (Kalamunda District), Trilleen Pomare (Wanneroo), Lori Cramer (University of Queensland).

Scotland: Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders), Coreen Grant (Saracens), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Leia Brebner-Holden (Cheltenham Tigers/Gloucester-Hartpury); Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).

Replacements: Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Louise McMillan (Saracens), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Lucia Scott (Gloucester University/Gloucester Hartpury).