Reid played 50 minutes against France

Scotland under-20 head Coach, Eamon John, said: “I’m very happy with the performance we put in against France. We were very competitive and had the chance to win it.

“I was particularly happy with the character shown by the squad, especially in the second half. It was that character and the possession gained as a result that allowed us to come so close to winning the game – so lots of positives to take from the match.”

Glasgow Hawks’ prop George Hunter and Heriot’s lock Matthew Reid replace the injured Craig Owenson (rib) and Grant Gilchrist (shin) in the front five while James Johnstone (Currie) comes in for the injured Sale Sharks outside-centre Jonny Kennedy (shoulder).

The trio has been promoted from the bench. As a result, Nicky Little (Hawick) and Aaron Hall (Newcastle Falcons) come in as forward replacements and Callum McBurnie (Mosley) joins as support for the backs as they prepare to face a Wales side coming from a 41-14 defeat to England.

John, who makes a return to the Arms Park having come through the Welsh youth system and played senior rugby for Cardiff, added: “Playing in the capital city is a fantastic opportunity for the players. There’s a lot of rugby history in Cardiff. It’s a great place to play the game.

“Wales are a very proud rugby nation and will have good movement in their back line but I think we can match that. I expect them to come out all guns blazing having lost to England but we’ve prepared for that.

“Looking at the two teams I think we’re quite similar and trying to do similar things so a lot of it will come down to the performances on the night.”

Last season John’s under-20 side won all three of their home matches against Wales, Ireland and Italy but missed out on the away scalps that have historically evaded the under-20s.
 
“It’s important for us to get a win on the road, something which the Scotland under-20s haven’t done before which is something we’re going to have to do if we’re going to be title challengers.”

SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY WALES AT CARDIFF ARMS PARK ON FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY (KICK-OFF 7.05PM)

15 Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies)*

14 Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors)
13 James Johnstone (Currie)*
12 Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*
11 Dougie Fife (Currie)**

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

1 George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks)
2 Alun Walker (Currie)
3 Colin Phillips (Stewart’s Melville)**
4 Matthew Reid (Heriot’s)
5 Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*
6 Michael Maltman (Heriot’s)**
8 Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Watsonians)*
7 David Denton (Edinburgh Accies)*

Replacements
16 Lindsey Gibson (Melrose)
17 Nicky Little (Hawick)*
18 Aaron Hall (Newcastle Falcons)
19 Callum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish)
20 Kris Hamilton (Caithness)**
21 Matthew Scott (Currie)**
22 Callum McBurnie (Moseley)

Player’s not available through injury: Craig Owenson – Heriot’s** (rib), Jonny Kennedy – Sale sharks (shoulder), Grant Gilchrist – Stirling County* (shin)

* 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