The fixture provides an opportunity for the majority of the squad to get their first taste of U20 rugby as Scotland build towards the 2025 Under-20 Six Nations. Several of Scotland’s best young players are already in action for Emerging Scotland against Italy Under-23s at Hive Stadium on Saturday.

Pro Academy prospects Ollie McKenna (Glasgow Warriors) and Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby) are selected at prop, with Jamie McAughtrie, who became the youngest ever Ayrshire Bulls player after featuring for them ahead in April 2024 ahead of the final Super Series Sprint, in between them at hooker.

Dylan Cockburn, who featured in the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy, starts in the second row alongside Loughborough University’s Bart Godsell.

The back row consists of Loretto School and Edinburgh Rugby prospect Christian Lindsay at blindside, Jack Utterson, who has impressed in the Arnold Clark men’s Premiership for Kelso this season, at openside and University of St Andrews student Oliver Finlayson-Russell at number 8.

Stand-off Isaac Coates, experienced at U20 level having played in the 2024 Under-20 Six Nations, will captain the side and is partnered by Trailfinders Rugby Academy scrum-half Noah Cowan in the half backs.

The centres are made up of two players featuring regularly in the Premiership, as inside centre Angus Hunter of Heriot’s is joined by Glasgow Hawks outside centre Campbell Waugh.

Another Premiership starlet, Cameron Van Wyk, starts on the left wing, with Harlequins academy winger Guy Rogers on the right. The starting lineup is completed by Edinburgh Rugby’s Ross Wolfenden at full back.

The replacement forwards include recent Scotland U18 captain Joe Roberts, Bristol Bears academy player Will Pearce, Keita Ando of Exeter Chiefs’ academy and Ryan Whitefield who made four appearances off the bench in this year’s Under-20 Six Nations.

Edinburgh Rugby pro academy lock Mac Rutherford, recent Boys’ U18 Schools Cup finalist Zander Mactaggart and Glasgow Warriors academy back row Archie McMichael round off the replacement forwards.

Selkirk scrum-half Hugo Alderson, Jamie Thomson, who has featured for Edinburgh A this season, Glasgow Warriors academy back-three specialist Harry Provan and Oundle RFC’s Logan Noble, who scored back-to-back hat-tricks for his club at the start of the season, make up the backs substitutes.

Murray said: “We’re really looking forward to this fixture as it gives some younger players exposure to U20 rugby. They’ve trained well this week and we’re excited to see them in a competitive environment.

“A number of the players we’ve selected are rewarded for their good form in the Arnold Clark Premiership, while others have done well in A fixtures for our pro teams, as well as those who have come in via our SQ programme.

“This match also gives us a chance to look at some players that we maybe haven’t seen playing at this level ahead of selecting our Under-20 Six Nations squad, which is really helpful for us.”

Scotland U20 Development Squad to play Wales U20 at The Wern, Merthyr on Friday (kick off 12pm)

15. Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Guy Rogers (University of Surrey/Harlequins)
13. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Angus Hunter (Heriot’s RFC)
11. Cameron Van Wyk (Ayr RFC)

10. Isaac Coates (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN
9. Noah Cowan (Brunel – Trailfinders Rugby Academy)

1. Ollie McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Jamie McAughtrie (Glasgow Academicals RFC/Ayr RFC)
3. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Bart Godsell (Loughborough University)
5. Dylan Cockburn (Melrose RFC)
6. Christian Lindsay (Loretto School/Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Jack Utterson (Kelso RFC)
8. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)

Replacements

16. Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors)
17. Will Pearce (Cardiff Met/Bristol Bears)
18. Ryan Whitefield (Biggar RFC)
19. Mac Rutherford (Edinburgh Rugby)
20. Zander Mactaggart (Merchiston Castle School)
21. Hugo Alderson (Selkirk RFC)
22. Jamie Thomson (University of St Andrews)
23. Logan Noble (Oundle RFC)
24. Keita Ando (Exeter Chiefs)
25. Archie McMichael (Glasgow Warriors)
26. Harry Provan (Glasgow Warriors)