Pontypridd's Rhys Downes and Rhys Williams and Glamorgan Wanderers pair Scott Andrews and Josh Navidi have been selected to start for Wales under 20 against Scotland next Friday, while fellow Wanderers player James Loxton is on the bench along with Cardiff's Jake Thomas and Dan Partridge.

Phil Davies' side play their first game against Scotland on Friday 6 February, 7.10pm, McDiarmid Park, Perth. The first home game of the Under 20 Six Nations is against England at the Brewery Field on Friday 13 February, 7.10pm

Speaking ahead of the match Davies said, "The players themselves effectively selected the leadership group through highlighting qualities they felt were important to this side. James and Kristian certainly lead by example on and off the pitch but it is quite feasible that others will also have the chance to experience captaincy.

"We are thrilled at the commitment the players have shown in our regional and national training sessions, and in their performances for their clubs and regional age grade sides and we are very grateful to the support of the Premiership and Regional coaches, and the WRU Regional Performance Development Managers.

"I feel we have a competitive core squad of 27 and there is certainly a strong spine in this starting line-up, with Jason Tovey, who has played regular professional rugby starting at 15, Ashley Beck at 12, James (Thomas) and Rhys (Downes) at 8 and 9 and with leaders in the front five too in Scott Andrews and Ashley Sweet.

"A few players can consider themselves unlucky to miss out on the 22, such as prop Aaron Coundley and Scott Williams, who has come into the Six Nations squad to replace Ryan Healy who has broken his jaw.

"But all of he 27 will get a chance to prove them selves, there is very much an open-door policy, even for players outside of the initial 27.

"In terms of effort, commitment and desire to play for Wales, we know we couldn't have asked for any more from the players, but I'm sure the other nations will be just as eager to do well, starting with Scotland, then England for our first home match of the season."

Under 20's Wales v England at the Brewery Field on Friday 13 February, 7.10pm

Tickets are £5 for juniors and £10 and £15 for adults and are available from the following outlets:

- WRU shop, Gate 3, Westgate Street (Mon - Sat 9.30 - 5pm)

- Ticketline, Westgate Street, Cardiff (Mon - Sat 9 - 5.30pm, phone bookings can be made by calling 02920 230130)

- Bridgend RFC at their home game against Neath on Saturday (5.30kick off)

- Tickets are £5 for juniors and students, £10 and £15 for adults

Wales Under 20 Six Nations squad
Backs: James Loxton (Blues academy /Glamorgan Wanderers), Dai Langdon (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys / Neath), Scott Williams (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), Ashley Beck (Ospreys/ Aberavon), Nick Reynolds (Llanelli), Adam Hughes (Dragons academy / Bedwas), Matthew Pewtner (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Gareth Davies (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), James Leadbeater (Cross Keys), Jason Tovey (Dragons), Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath)

Forwards: Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy/ Ebbw Vale), Scott Andrews (Blues academy/ Glamorgan Wanderers), Dan Watchurst (Dragons academy / Bedwas), Simon Gardener (Scarlets Academy / Llanelli), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Craig Attwell (Dragons academy / Newbridge), James King (Ospreys academy/ Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy/ Cross Keys), Sam Pailor (Pontypool), Dan Partridge (Beddau), Jake Thomas (Cardiff), Josh Navidi (Blues academy Glamorgan Wanderers), Rory Pitman (Ospreys academy/Bridgend), James Thomas (Dragons academy /Ebbw Vale).