Michael Tait, son of Lions legend Alan, Olive Grove – brother of recently capped centre Alex Grove – and fly-half Alex Blair the younger brother of Edinburgh duo Mike and David are among John’s selections.

Only skipper Start McInally played in last year’s campaign while six of the squad tasted action in last year’s IRB Junior World Championships.

And John believes the legacy of the previous generations is safe in the hands of his young guns who kick off their campaign against France on February 5.

He said: “Oliver has fitted in well to the squad to date and looks to be an individual capable of playing a few positions, which offers good flexibility to the group. It's certainly exciting times for the Grove brothers and Scotland.

“Michael Tait is very similar in appearance to his father and if he accomplishes half of what he did in his career it’ll be a fantastic achievement.

“He’s now working with his dad at Newcastle Falcons and I’ll be looking for big things from Michael both in this age group and in his future career.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in Inverness. The match will have a real Scottish feel to it because of the location and the venue.

“The announcement of the match was well received by the Highland and Grampian rugby community and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd out to support the team and help us be as tough to beat as we were in last season’s competition when we beat Wales, Italy and Ireland on home soil.”

Forwards
Craig Owenson (Heriot’s), Nicky Little (Hawick), Nick Fraser (Boroughmuir), George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks), Colin Philips (Stewart’s Melville), Alun Walker (Currie), Lindsey Gibson (Melrose), Calum Taylor (Glasgow Hawks), Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*, Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County), Aaron Hall (Newcastle Falcons), Matthew Reid (Heriot’s), David Denton (Edinburgh Accies), Michael Maltman (Heriot’s), Stuart McInally (Watsonians), Calum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish), Michael Fedo (Watsonians), Chris Thomson (Loughborough University)

Backs
Kris Hamilton (Caithness), Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie), Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies), Matthew Scott (Currie), Ross Aitken (Howe of Fife), Alex Dunbar (Selkirk), Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks), Michael Tait (Newcastle Falcons), George Watkins (Bristol Rugby), Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies), Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors), Callum McBurnie (Moseley), Dougie Fife (Currie), James Johnstone (Currie)