The U20s familiarise themselves with tonight's home ground

Despite overnight snowfall on Wednesday, team preparations were not interrupted as they began, as planned, with a 40-minute forwards session on the scrum machine at Highland rugby club before travelling to Culloden Academy where the school had ensured the pitch was in excellent condition in time for the team’s arrival and captain’s run in front of scores of school pupils.

Scotland under-20 scrum-half, Kris Hamilton, from Caithness, said: “The news that the Scotland under-20 game was coming to Inverness was a major boost to all rugby people in the Highlands and, given that Wick is another 110 miles north of Inverness, the match presents the best opportunity for my friends, family and all rugby supporters in the north to come and watch a rugby side represent Scotland.”

The were taken to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium to get some kicking practice in and a familiarise themselves to their new home where in 24 hours they would be warming up for their opening championship encounter.

Lock Rob Hardy waits in support

Today’s France game will be the first ever under-20 6 Nations match for all but number 8 Stuart McInally (Watsonians), who captains the side with the experience of both last year’s competition and the 2009 Junior World Championships under his belt.

Hamilton added: “I expect we’ll get big vocal crowd who’ll get right behind the team in this crucial opening match in the 6 Nations campaign.

 “The French will be strong, as they are at all levels, and have the ability to play in a number of different ways but we must focus on our game and take every chance we get to score.”

Admission to TONIGHT'S Scotland under-20 v France under-20 match in Inverness (kick-off 7.30pm) is FREE – no need for a ticket: just turn up, take your seat and enjoy the match!

THE MATCH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON BBC RADIO SCOTLAND - 801MW

Scotland under-20 team to face France under-20 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm)

15 Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies)*

14 Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors)
13 Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks)
12 Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*
11 Dougie Fife (Currie)**

10 Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies)*
9 Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie)

1 Craig Owensen (Heriot’s)**
2 Alun Walker (Currie)
3 Colin Phillips (Stewart’s Melville)**
4 Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*
5 Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County)*
6 Michael Maltman (Heriot’s)**
8 Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Watsonians)*
7 David Denton (Edinburgh Accies)*

Replacements
22 Lindsey Gibson (Melrose)
17 George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks)
18 Matthew Reid (Heriot’s)
19 Callum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish)
20 Kris Hamilton (Caithness)**
21 Matthew Scott (Currie)**
16 James Johnstone (Currie)*

* Denotes a member of the Scottish National Contracted Academy
** Denotes a member of the Scottish Rugby National Academy supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport

Referee: Alan Falzone (FIR)

SCOTLAND UNDER-20 6 NATIONS SCHEDULE
Friday 5 February – Scotland under-20 v France under-20 (Tulloch Caledonian Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm)
Friday 12 February – Wales under-20 v Scotland under-20 (Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 7.05pm)
Friday 26 February – Italy under-20 v Scotland under-20 (Capoterra, Sardinia, kick-off 5pm tbc local)
Friday 12 March – Scotland under-20 v England (Firhill, kick-off 7pm)
Friday 19 March – Ireland under-20 v Scotland under-20 (Dubarry Park, Athlone, Ireland, kick-off 7.35pm)

RBS 6 NATIONS - SCOTLAND V FRANCE
Supporters have just two days to see Scotland take on France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Sunday 7 February at Murrayfield, kick-off 3pm.  However, tickets are selling fast.
Tickets can be purchased in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Tickets may also be bought via the 24-hour hotline on 0844 335 3933 at www.scottishrugby.org