There are four changes to the starting team who hosted England last Friday night in the opening round of the Under-20 Six Nations in front of 3000 spectators at DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh.

Ealing Trailfinders’ Olujare Oguntibeju earns a starting place in the team at blindside flanker with skipper Rhys Tait (Boroughmuir Bears) packing down at openside flanker. Newcastle Falcons Matthew Deehan completes the back row as he moves from blindside flanker to Number 8.

Injury forces a change in the front row as Mikey Jones (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) replaces Tom Banatvala at loosehead prop, with hooker Paddy Harrison (Edinburgh Rugby) and tighthead prop Gregor Scougall (Currie Chieftains) retaining their positions.

The second row remains unchanged from last Friday night, the towering figures of Max Williamson (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) and Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders) will be in the boiler house to complete the pack.

Scrum-half Murray Redpath (Newcastle University) returns to the starting team to partner Christian Townsend (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors) in the same half-back pairing who started against England in the 2021 Under-20 Six Nations in Cardiff.

There’s a change at inside centre as GHA’s Andy Stirrat is set to make his first Scotland U20 appearance alongside Duncan Munn (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) who retains his place at outside centre.

The back three from last Friday nights fixture remains unchanged. Try scorer Ollie Melville (Newcastle University) and Ross McKnight (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) line up on the wings, with Montpellier’s Robin McClintock starting at full-back.

Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “There are a huge number of positives to take from last Friday night’s game against England. Our physicality was there, as was our passion and desire to get over the gain line and score some tries but ultimately the team didn’t perform for the full-80 minutes.

“Down in Wales we’ll be looking to stay in the fight, execute our plays more accurately and convert our chances into points when they come.

“If we do that, then I’m confident that the team can perform better than they did last week and get the result we want.”

Scotland U20 team to face Wales on Friday 11 February at Stadium ZipWorld, Colwyn Bay (kick-off 8pm, BBC iPlayer and S4C) 

15. Robin McClintock (Montpellier) (1)
14. Ross McKnight* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) (3)
13. Duncan Munn** (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) (1)
12. Andy Stirrat (GHA) (0)
11. Ollie Melville (Newcastle University) (5)
10. Christian Townsend* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors) (6)
9. Murray Redpath (Newcastle University) (5)

1. Michael Jones* (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) (6)
2. Patrick Harrison* (Edinburgh Rugby) (5)
3. Gregor Scougall** (Currie Chieftains) (1)
4. Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders) (0)
5. Max Williamson* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) (5)
6. Olujare Oguntibeju (Ealing Trailfinders) (1)
8. Matthew Deehan (Newcastle Falcons) (2)
7. Rhys Tait* (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) (6) CAPTAIN
 

Replacements  
16. Gregor Hiddleston (GHA) (1)
17. Ali Rodgers (Glasgow Hawks) (0)
18. Callum Norrie** (Strathallan School) (1)
19. Jake Spurway (Durham University) (1)

20. Robert Gordon (Exeter University) (0)
21. Jonty Cope (Durham University) (0)
22. Euan Cunningham* (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors) (4)
23. Ben Evans* (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) (1)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

**FOSROC Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Player

(N) donates previous Scotland U20 appearances