After a disappointing RBS 6 Nations for the senior side, the younger generation are looking to impress in their opening game with South Africa in Padova, Italy, tonight.

And following his team announcement to face the Springboks, coach Wright sent a firm message to his side.

“We need to match their physicality with some of our own but it’s important that we keep the ball alive, get the ball into the late phases and play in the wide channels,” Wright said.

“We aren’t here to play second fiddle to anyone. We have to make sure that when every player plays for Scotland they play the very best they can.

“We know it will be tough but there’s a lot of confidence among the squad and if every single player plays to the best of their ability then we can go in there and get a positive result.”

Wright was also able to welcome back Glasgow Warriors’ Duncan Weir, who will captain the side tonight.

Stand-off Weir said: “I’m very happy and very proud to be picked to captain my country and be in a position of power to unleash the dangerous back line that we have here.

“At stand-off you’ve got to be vocal and a leader on the pitch so there isn’t a lot to add to my role in that respect.

“We hear South Africa have gone for bulk and size, so we’ll be aiming to move them about a bit, and keep them moving,” Weir added.

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

14. Sam Atkin (Edinburgh Accies)

13. Mark Bennett (Clermont Auvergne)

12. Danny Gilmour (Stirling County)

11. Glenn Bryce (Stirling County)

10. Duncan Weir CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors)

9. Sean Kennedy (Stirling County)

1. Alex Allan (Loughborough University)

2. David Cherry (Team Northumbria)

3. Colin Phillips (Edinburgh Rugby/Stewart’s Melville)

4. Mitchell Todd (Nottingham)

5. Robert McAlpine (West of Scotland)

6. Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir)

7. Alex Spence (Heriot’s)

8. James Tyas (Bath)

Replacements
16. Richard Ferguson (Melrose)
17. George Hunter (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks)
18. Robin Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby/Boroughmuir)
19. Mitchell Eadie (Bristol)
20. Jamie Stevenson (Boroughmuir)
21. Kerr Gossman (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks)
22. Hamish Watson (Leicester Tigers)