Scotland captain Rhys Tait believes physicality will be the key to overcoming their opening Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series opponents Wales in Treviso on Saturday. 

The flanker led the side, who fell to a 26-13 defeat, the last time the two teams met in the Six Nations U20s back in February. 

But he is confident that loss, in a winless campaign for the Scots, has provided a wealth of information that will help them topple this weekend’s opponents ahead of Pool B clashes with Georgia and hosts Italy. 

“I think a big thing for us was just being clinical in that final third,” he said. 

“We did kind of beat ourselves in that game against Wales which is a big thing we’ve been focusing on recently. 

“Just playing to our strengths and making sure we're as clinical in the [final] 22 as we can be.

“Also just bringing the physicality, I think we’ve done a lot of work recently on our physicality especially when we’re on the breakdown and in defence so that's definitely something we’re going to look to bring tomorrow and take it to Wales.” 

Scotland head coach Kenny Murray, who has handed out three debuts ahead of the clash, added: “When we reflected back on the Wales game - we were winning that game. 

“In the 72nd minute we were still ahead and I think the big reflections for us were about not taking our chances. 

“Not maximising our opportunities when we had them and then we just didn’t exit well, and I think that’s the big learning for us in that particular game.”

The Scotland boss is putting his faith in Ryan Daley and Kerr Johnston, who will make their first appearance for Scotland at U20 level, alongside Kieran Clark in the back three. 

Captain Tait is joined by the other debutant, Liam McConnell, at blindside flanker and Ollie Leatherbarrow at No.8. 

Josh Taylor and Max Williamson partner one another in the second row while Ali Rogers is in at loosehead alongside hooker Gregor Hiddleston and tighthead Callum Norrie. 

While Andrew Stirrat and Duncan Munn are in line to start a fifth consecutive game at inside and outside centre. 

Murray Redpath and Christian Townsend, at scrum-half and fly-half respectively, round out the starting XV. 

On his selection for their opening game, Murray added: “We’ve obviously picked a team on merit and on performance. 

“We’ve got some players coming through who have shone really well at Under-18 level when they played at the festival and then when they joined us during training sessions between April through to June. 

“So guys like Liam [McConnell] and Kerr [Johnston] have been excellent so we feel they deserve their opportunity to have a go at this level. 

“[Johnston] in particular is a big strong physical winger with huge potential so for me if you’re good enough you’re old enough so looking forward to seeing those two in particular play.”

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg