Leia Brebner-Holden starts for Scotland in Australia showdown

Cheltenham Tigers scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden will make her first Scotland start in their WXV 2 decider against Australia in Cape Town.

Australia lead the table after bonus-point wins over Wales and South Africa, but second-top Scotland will finish top with a victory on Saturday 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 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 fourth 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.