Seven players from last year’s squad retain their place, among them Alex Allan, Mark Bennett and Mitch Eadie, while Tommaso Allan, Russell Anderson and Chris Auld are just three from a dozen promoted from last season’s Under-18 squad.

After their clash with the Auld Enemy at Firhill, they travel to Wales seven days later, and with games coming thick and fast for Wright’s side, he is keen to utilise his full complement.

He said: “It’s necessary to bring together a bigger core group for the forthcoming Under-20s matches because of the quality of players we have in this age group.

“As well as bringing back seven players from last year’s squad, who will bring experience to the side we are introducing a number of exciting young talents from Scotland under-18 and Scotland 7s.

“I’m keen to give as many of these players game time and a chance to impress.

“We’re really looking forward to the challenge that the Six Nations will bring, playing against some of the best talent at this level.

“The competition will also help us work towards the Under-20s Rugby World Cup in South Africa later this year, where we will be up against the best teams in the world.”

Scotland under-20 squad:

Backs: Tommaso Allan (Western Province), Chris Auld (Gala), Mark Bennett (Clermont Auvergne), Jack Bradford (Nottingham Rugby), Michael Crawley (Boroughmuir), Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies), Robbie Fergusson (Ayr), Gary Graham (Gala), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Heriot's), Rory Hughes (Glasgow Hawks), Harris Jones (Boroughmuir), Harry Leonard (Edinburgh Rugby), Murray McConnell (Glasgow Warriors), Alistair Price (Bedford Blues), Finn Russell (Falkirk), Jack Steele (Dundee HSFP), Scott Steele (Leicester Tigers), Jamie Stevenson (London Scottish), Peter Stewart (Nudgee College Schoolboys)

Forwards: Alex Allan (Loughborough Students), Russell Anderson (Gala), Adam Ashe (Stirling County), Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County), Will Bordill (Sale Sharks), Struan Cessford (Heriot's), Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby), Johnny Gray (Hamilton), Alex Henderson (Boroughmuir), Robin Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby), Andrew Nagle (Jedforest), Andrew Redmayne (Dundee HSFP), Callum Reid (Edinburgh Accies), Gavin Robertson (Dundee HSFP), Fergus Scott (Currie), Adam Sinclair (Stirling County), Stuart Smith (Aberdeen Grammar), Tom Steven (Glasgow Hawks), Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir), Callum Templeton (Ayr), George Turner (Stewart’s Melville)